Hometown Holiday is returning bigger and better to the Enumclaw Expo Center early December.

The event started last year as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled the annual Enumclaw Christmas Parade (much to the disappointment of many residents). It was like a parade, but in reverse — instead of floats driving down Cole Street while the audience remains in place on the sidewalk, attendees drove through the Expo Center as floats and displays stayed stationary.

Last year, more than 2,500 cars, filled with Plateau residents and visitors looking for some holiday spirit, meandered their way through a circuitous path on the Expo Center’s grounds to enjoy 60 lit-up displays and various live performances.

The event is clearly gaining traction, as Expo Center Director Rene Popke recently said there will be close to 75 displays this year. Additionally, Grace Point Northwest Church will again be organizing a live Nativity scene, and performances by Dance it Up! — an after-school dance program for elementary students — and Imagination Theater will be peppered throughout the grounds. Santa will also be attending the event.

Hometown Holiday is being held over three days — Dec. 10 through 12, and the grounds will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. each night.

Tickets to the event are $15 per carload, and can be bought at www.strideevents.com/events/hometown-holiday-drive-thru-event/2021/tickets.

However, you can also snag yourself a VIP package for $50; as a VIP, up to six event goers get to enjoy hot chocolate and making s’mores around a fire before being escorted to the front of the line to enjoy the displays. VIP tickets have gone quickly, Popke said, and as of Friday, Nov. 19, only tickets for Sunday, Dec. 12, were available. VIP tickets can also be bought at the website above.

Please be aware that lines for Hometown Holiday can be long, and you are encouraged to show up early; while the event is over at 9 p.m., it’s possible that event organizers will not allow cars to join the waiting line around 8:30 p.m.

If you are interested in putting together a display for the event, the clock’s a’ticking; email the Expo Center at shannonc@enumclawexpo.com preferably before Dec. 6, as displays need to be up and ready to go by 3 p.m. Dec. 10.