Communication and recreation coordinator reflects on busy Christmas season in Yelm

With City of Yelm Christmas-based events officially wrapped up, Line Roy, the city’s communication and recreation coordinator, reflected on the magic surrounding the holiday season in the Nisqually Valley region.

Roy told the Nisqually Valley News on Tuesday, Dec. 23, that though it was a lot of work to create and host over 10 different Christmas-themed activities — the memories and smiles from attendees were worth it.

“As soon as the last event finishes, you take a second to breathe. I’m so grateful that everything went off wonderfully,” Roy said. “We do these events year after year, and we also bring new ones in. It’s nice to see the people that come back, year after year, and we get to see their families grow. On my side, it’s a relief that everything’s over and then it’s right back to ‘OK, how do I do this next year? How do I make it better? How do I reach more people? How do I make it so it’s fun again? How do we keep going?’”

Roy added that once the day of an event arrives, it’s comparable to a breath of fresh air because she’s finally able to enjoy the moment and activity that her department worked hard to get to.

She said it’s amazing that Yelm is a community that supports the concept that “doing so much and having all the fun” is important.

“I love that I get to be a part of everyone’s traditions and kind of get to be the one that makes a little bit of magic,” Roy said. “I know holidays can be hard for people, so to bring a little bit of levity and light and fun means so much. Especially when that fun is free or low cost.”

Roy believes that a broadened scope of community members are able to attend and enjoy City of Yelm-based activities due to the activities being free or low cost. The concept of low-cost and fun events will continue right away next year.

“We’re done with events for 2025, but we’re going to jump right into some 2026 events. We have some really cool things planned for January,” Roy said.

First, the department will partner with Standing Room Only (SRO) Theater from Tuesday, Jan. 6 through Wednesday, April 1, with a teenager musical program. Participants can register online at www.srotheater.org.

According to Roy, participants will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of putting together a musical program, including acting, singing, dancing, choreography, set building and staging.

“I’m really grateful for that partnership with SRO Theater so that we can do something amazing like this,” Roy said.

Additionally, the department will host Puzzle Palooza at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at Yelm Community Center. Roy said participants will race in teams to create a puzzle the fastest.

Roy noted that from Monday, Jan. 26, through Thursday, Jan. 29, her department will partner with Washington’s 10th Congressional District for the Valentines for Veterans program. She said attendees will be able to craft heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards for veterans and first responders. You can visit Yelm City Hall from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during those select days to write and create cards.

For the first time, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, the City of Yelm will host a Lego mosaic build from 6 p.m. to 8 at the Yelm Community Center. Roy noted that pieces created at the event will be used to construct a community-built mural called “Love Where You Live.”