As the holiday season approaches, ornaments, wreaths and brightly colored lights will replace goblins, ghouls and the brightly colored leaves of October.

Port Gamble is a special place to visit and enjoy during the holidays. Here are some ideas on how to make the most of your holiday time in Port Gamble.

Port Gamble Country Christmas: The centerpiece of your Port Gamble holiday experience is the annual Country Christmas celebration on Dec. 14-15. The town is fully dressed for the occasion with ornaments, garland and thousands of bright white lights.

You and your family can create your own special holiday memories at Santa’s Workshop, a hands-on, interactive craft experience ($5 per child) or join the audience for the annual Holiday Fruitcake Contest. As darkness falls, you can gather around the community Christmas tree for the tree lighting and then take in the holiday fireworks celebration.

For a full list of activities and times, please visit www.portgamble.com.

But you don’t have to wait until December to get in the holiday spirit at Port Gamble.

Holiday Open House: On Nov. 9, the Port Gamble General Store kicks off the season with its fourth annual Holiday Open House that includes live music, free cookies and wine tasting, and plenty of holiday giveaways.

All holiday items will be discounted 20 percent and include complimentary gift wrapping. There also will be a food drive to benefit ShareNet and for every non-perishable item you donate, you’ll receive an extra 10 percent discount on one item, with no limit on the discounts. And of course, rumor has it Santa and Mrs. Claus may make an appearance.

“A Christmas Carol”: The Port Gamble Theater Company rounds out its 2013 season in December with the holiday classic holiday “A Christmas Carol.” Directed by Scott Snively and Jim Wingren, the classic Charles Dickens story was adapted for the Port Gamble Theater by Wingren.

This is one of the company’s most popular shows, so don’t wait. For ticket information, schedules and times at www.portgambletheater.com.

Holiday Fruitcake Contest: Calling all bakers for the Port Gamble’s annual Holiday Fruitcake competition.

Does your fruitcake have what it takes to take the cake?

If so, then don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the annual Port Gamble Holiday Fruitcake Contest, the oldest and largest fruitcake contest in the Pacific Northwest. We’re gearing up for the 2013 contest, which promises to be the biggest and best yet.

In addition to the amateur division, this year’s contest will include a professional division with fruitcakes submitted by bakeries and baking professionals in Kitsap County. The judging process will be open to the public and a panel of celebrity judges will evaluate the fruitcake entries in front of a live audience.

Winners will receive an engraved plaque, a special basket of holiday goodies from Port Gamble and the title of “Best Fruitcake in Kitsap County” for 2013.

The 2013 Port Gamble Holiday Fruitcake Contest will be held Dec. 14 during the annual Country Christmas celebration in Port Gamble. For information and contest details, please contact the Port Gamble events office at 360-297-8074, or by email at portgamble@orminc.com.

Ghost Walks still available

Although Halloween will soon be behind us, Ghost Walks and Special Investigations are still coming up in December and in 2014. For times, availability and other information, please call 360-297-8074. But don’t hesitate, these events frequently sell out in advance. And if you are coming to a Ghost Walk or Special Investigation, please leave those little goblins at home. Ghost Walks and Special Investigations are for ages 16 and older.

Want to stay up to date about activities and happenings at Port Gamble? Just send us an email and asked to be added to our monthly Port Gamble e-Newsletter. For information or questions regarding the events in Port Gamble, please contact the events office at 360-297-8074 or via email at portgamble@orminc.com. You can also visit our website at www.portgamble.com.

— Shana Smith is general manager of Port Gamble. Contact her at ssmith@orminc.com.