Kids danced next to a lighted tree that blinked along to Christmas music during Magic at the Mill Thursday.(Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
The Willamette Heritage Center was transformed Thursday as the lawns lit up for the annual Magic at the Mill event.
Families wandered around the grounds and were treated to historic home tours, musical performances and chances to take a photo with both Santa and the Grinch.
The museum has several buildings listed on the National Historic Register of Places and visitors can tour mill buildings with displays of 19th and 20th century machinery.
The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Monday, Dec. 23. More information is at the Willamette Heritage Center website.
Alaina Santos colors with her son, Israel. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Gordon Munro told stories to passersby while playing a drum in the Mill Building. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Chloe, left, Claire, center, and Nancy Southwood, right, listened to a storyteller during Magic at the Mill Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Kids enjoyed hot cocoa during Magic at the Mill Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Alex Howard practices on a weaving loom. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Donna Hinds gives a tour to Elizabeth Vanleeuwen in one of the historic homes at the Willamette Heritage Center. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Scarlett Etherton picked out a candy cane after taking a photo with Santa. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Emily Pearson and Jeremiah Brant sit to listen to a storyteller during Magic at the Mill Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Ashley Thommen and her daughter Evelyn watch a model train go around the tracks. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Katrina Delamarter walks down a hallway of industrial artifacts during Magic at the Mill. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Catherina Sutherland poses while Matt Kuerbis takes a photo during Magic at the Mill Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Kids enjoyed taking all the lights in with special glasses during Magic at the Mill. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Samantha Nichols handed out glow sticks for a house tour during Magic at the Mill Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Families had the opportunity to takes photos with the Grinch Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Kids stared at the string lights blinking Thursday night. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Haley Jones and Madi Roth posed for a photo on bench swing at Magic at the Mill Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
The Willamette Heritage Center was decorated with thousands of string lights Thursday during the Magic at the Mill event. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Orchard Mountain String Band performed at Magic at the Mill Thursday. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
