Downtown Group to Bring Back Holiday House Tour

The Holiday House Tour will return this year under the sponsorship of Downtown Washington Inc.

“We want to see this fun holiday tradition continue so we decided to take it over,” said Bridgette Epple, executive director.

The tour was not held last year. It had been put on in the past by Washington Preservation Inc.

Epple said it will be the 30th year for the tour which features homes and businesses decorated for Christmas.

This year’s event will take place Sunday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Plans are still being finalized but the tour will likely feature six homes, all in the downtown area and the downtown post office, which has been completely renovated by the downtown group.

Kristy Stoyer, a Downtown Washington Inc. board member, is chairing the event.

Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance and $15 the day of the event. Tickets are available at the downtown post office.

Two of the homes to be featured are the new Rhine River townhouses on Front Street. They belong to Bryan Bogue, 528 W. Front St., and Mary and Mike Connor, 536 W. Front St.

The other homes, confirmed to date, are Nick and Amy Niehaus, 428 W. Third St.; Donna Park, 318 W. Fourth St., and Karen and Rick Marquart, third floor of The Landing, 300 W. Front St.

Epple said participants can tour the homes in any order. A trolley will be available as well, which will loop between the homes and post office.

“We’re so excited about bringing back the house tour and we hope to have a good turnout — that’s why we’re getting the word out so early. We want people to mark their calendars and make plans to attend,” she said.