An annual tradition for the past 10 years, The Ranger and NW Airlifter newspapers with main sponsor Grand Canyon University once again presents free Fantasy Light tickets to local military. Each ticket is good for one car-load. 

Four hundred and fifty tickets will be handed out Saturday, Dec. 10 while supplies last at the newspaper's annual free holiday party for local military families. To attend, RSVP at https://swarner.lpages.co/dec-10th-military-holiday-party/.

In addition to the free Fantasy Light tickets, Saturday's event will include games and crafts with favorite holiday friends from The Grinch, Frosty and Jack Frost.

The event is held at Capital Christian Center in Lacey.

The party Saturday will include an opportunity to meet the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who, make a snow globe and other crafts, take pictures in a Grinch setup, design a Jack Frost magic staff, and design your own snowman with Frosty. Plus, other sponsors will offer free holiday haircuts for the kids, a free hot cocoa station, and more.

The day also includes contests and games with the following prizes to be handed out:

• Woodland Park Zoo Wild Lantern, 30 individual tickets
• LeMay ACM Family annual membership, $150 value
• Lakewold Gardens, three family, two couples date night, 10 Winter Solstice Lights
• Ballet Northwest The Nutcracker, 30 two-person tickets, dates Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17
• Brainy Actz Escape Room, five, six-person group and eight Individual passes
• Holiday Magic, 15 tickets             
• Singing Christmas Tree ,15 tickets

"We love offering our free events to the military families," said Ken Swarner, publisher of The Ranger and NW Airlifter. "Partnering with local organizations who also want to honor our troops is incredibly rewarding. We hope families can take time out during the busy holidays to show their kids how much this community cares."

Since 2003, The Ranger and NW Airlifter have presented free salute events to military in the South Puget Sound area and San Diego. To stay in the loop on free events in 2023, join the newspaper's Facebook pages at JBLM Families.

Saturday's event will go forward regardless of any light snow.

"Hopefully we won't have snow like last weekend," said Swarner.

Last week's Frozen party in Bremerton was cancelled last minute after snow dumped on Kitsap County and the event location was not able to clear their parking lot. That event will be rescheduled later in 2023.