HERMISTON, Ore.-Family Day, a free community event, is December 7 at the Hermiston Community Center following the Festival of Trees the night before.
Family Day features entertainment, lunch, Christmas crafts, visits with Santa Claus, and is an opportunity for families and the community to see the trees that were decorated and auctioned for Festival of Trees.
“Some come just to see the big trees or visit with Santa,” said Vicki Horneck, Soroptimist International of the Greater Hermiston Area member and a Family Day organizer. “It’s so much fun to see the kids run from station to station and see the smiles on their faces.”
Similar to Festival of Trees, Family Day also has a storied tradition of community involvement and giving back.
The early years
Two early organizers of Family Day were Judy Bracher and Lindsey Murdock, both teachers in the Hermiston School District at the time.
As Bracher recalls, she came on board the second year of Family Day and decided to continue the tradition with some of her co-workers.
Bracher, Murdock and other organizers contacted the local dance studio to perform during the early years of Family Day, and entertainment continues to be a featured aspect of the event.
“One of the smartest things we did was getting a variety of groups as entertainment,” Murdock said. “Then after they performed, they could participate in the festivities.”
Admission to Family Day was free with a donated canned food item in the beginning and continues to be a free event for families.
“It just kept growing, crafts and activities kept being added,” said Bracher, whose husband played Santa at Family Day for years. “We made a fun day for kids that became a great community event.”
In addition to countless volunteers, the prison provided the cookies for decorating in the early years, school choirs and music programs performed, and the Hermiston High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) always helped out.
“I’m probably most proud of the community involvement, ultimately getting a wide variety of people to participate was one of our main goals,” said Murdock.
Passing the Torch
By the mid-2000’s Family Day was firmly established in the community as a perfect way to end Festival of Trees and Bracher, Murdock and other early organizers were ready to hand the event off to the next generation.
“Judy and I both knew it was time, it got to the point where we just weren’t as flexible schedule-wise,” said Murdock, of passing the event on. “I’m so thankful for Judy, we had awesome teamwork, and we gave our best to Family Day for over 10 years.”
Family Day and Festival of Trees is still an integral part of the holiday season for both women, one full of fond memories.
“What a great way to involve the community, everyone could come and still does,” said Bracher. “I still come every year, and I usually come home with a Christmas tree.”
The fully-decorated Christmas trees from Festival of Trees are always a draw at Family Day, as families and community members have an opportunity to see the trees decorated and lit-up.
“I remember every age always loved seeing the trees,” said Murdock. “One of my favorite Family Day memories is winning the raffle tree one year. I still put ornaments from that tree up every year.”
Family Day 2025
Family Day is December 7 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Hermiston Community Center and remains a free, family-friendly event thanks to Soroptimist International of the Greater Hermiston Area.
“We’re very dedicated to serving the community and letting the underserved in,” said Horneck, who has been involved with Family Day since she joined the Soroptimists about eight or nine years ago, and has been in charge of the event the past two years. “Any money that’s raised goes to Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards for head-of-household women to use for whatever needs they are experiencing.”
This year’s Family Day entertainment includes, Industry Dance, Junior Jam, Generation Cloggers, and Traditional Folk Dance from Mexico, as well as activities, games and crafts.
“Stations are set up around the Community Center with different activities, including I Spy Ornament making, which is new this year,” said Horneck. “The free photo with Santa is also a big draw.”
Community involvement remains a hallmark of both Festival of Trees, and certainly of Family Day, and Horneck is quick to point out the sponsorships and partnerships that make Family Day special every year, including Farm City Pro Rodeo, State Farm, Edward Jones and 60 Minute Photo.
According to Horneck, the Educational Resource Group, and the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches will run activity booths, and Elmer’s Irrigation is sponsoring a game for the second year.
Family Day features a chili lunch from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m., and Hermiston FCCLA will once again be on hand helping serve and working activity booths.
From looking at trees, to games and entertainment, Family Day truly offers something for everyone and is a way for families to create holiday memories.
“Family Day was always near the top of the holiday season,” said Murdock. “It’s an awesome way to give back to the community.”
