Join the fun downtown for the Harvest Shop Hop, an all-day celebration of fall, shopping, and community fun in Chehalis! Experience Chehalis invites
you to spend the day exploring local shops, enjoying seasonal flavors, and supporting small businesses in the heart of our city.

Throughout the day, downtown shops will offer exclusive discounts, special promotions, and curated fall finds. From cozy fashion and home décor to unique gifts and handmade treasures, it is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to something special or start your holiday shopping.

Restaurants and cafes will join in the fun too, serving up seasonal bites and delicious drinks that make the day even more inviting.

“Harvest Shop Hop is a chance to highlight our local businesses while giving the community a fun and festive way to enjoy downtown Chehalis,” said Interim Executive Director Angie Guy. “Celebrating fall, shopping local, and creating memories with family and friends is a great way to spend the day.”

With festive fall décor, great deals, and a welcoming community spirit, the Harvest Shop Hop is the perfect way to celebrate the season in downtown Chehalis.

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• Saturday, November 14, 2026
• 5:30 p.m.
• Free admission

• Thursday, November 19, 2026
• 5:00 p.m.
• Free admission

The post Chehalis Outfitters has two fun events this November appeared first on Experience Chehalis.

CHEHALIS, Wash. – The City of Chehalis invites community members to attend a public question-and-answer session about the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) renewal on the November general election ballot.

The session will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at the V.R. Lee Community Building, located at 221 SW 13th St. in Chehalis. City representatives will provide an informal presentation about the TBD, how the funding has been used and what the renewal would mean for future transportation projects. Community members will also have an opportunity to ask questions.

The measure on the Nov. 3 ballot is not a new tax. Chehalis voters first approved the TBD in 2017. The City is asking voters to renew the existing 0.2% sales tax for another 10 years at the same rate, equal to 2 cents on a $10 purchase. Revenue can be used for streets, pedestrian safety projects, traffic congestion relief and matching funds for grants.

Since it began, the TBD has helped fund major improvements including the reconstruction of NW Pacific Avenue and SW Chehalis Avenue and sidewalk and pedestrian improvements along SW 13th Street. It also provides local funding that helps the City compete for state and federal grants, allowing local transportation dollars to go further.

That funding will continue to play an important role in major transportation projects planned for Chehalis. Upcoming work includes Safe Routes to School improvements that will make walking and biking connections safer, continued work on the Downtown Rejuvenation Plan and efforts to replace the aging Chamber Way Rail Bridge.

Transportation infrastructure is important to residents, businesses and visitors and helps support public safety, accessibility and the local economy. Because the TBD is funded through sales tax, visitors as well as residents contribute toward transportation improvements in the community.

More information about the Transportation Benefit District is available at

ci.chehalis.wa.us/publicworks/page/transportation-benefit-district.

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The City of Chehalis (pop. 10,000) is located in southwestern Washington midway between Seattle and Portland, Ore. Chehalis is known for its historic downtown, role as an economic hub for the region, and access to outdoor recreation. The city operates under a balanced budget and has passed all its independent audits by the state. More information can be found at www.ci.chehalis.wa.us.

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The train departs from the railroad depot located in Chehalis at 1101 SW Sylvenus Street, across from the Veterans Memorial Museum at Exit 77 on I-5.

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The Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief staff leader, primary community ambassador, and day-to-day manager. Reporting to the Experience Chehalis Board of Directors, and working in partnership with the City of Chehalis, downtown businesses, property owners, volunteers, funders, public agencies, and regional partners. This position advances a vibrant, welcoming, and economically resilient downtown while ensuring the organization is well managed, financially sound, and responsive to community needs.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership for Experience Chehalis programs, operations, budget, partnerships, staff, contractors, volunteers, and Board-supported priorities.
• Lead downtown revitalization efforts using the Washington Main Street approach, including Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Outreach/Organization.
• Serve as a visible advocate and resource for downtown businesses, property owners, entrepreneurs, residents, visitors, and community stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with the City of Chehalis, Washington Main Street, local businesses, civic organizations, funders, tourism partners, and regional economic development entities.
• Support business retention, recruitment, expansion, facade and placemaking improvements, historic preservation, public-private investment, and downtown planning initiatives, including Imagine Downtown Chehalis.
• Guide marketing, communications, destination promotion, media relations, website and social media content, and campaigns that encourage people to shop, dine, visit, invest in, and experience Chehalis.
• Oversee events, promotions, volunteer engagement, sponsorships, grants, donor stewardship, reporting, contracts, nonprofit compliance, and Chehalis Coworks operations.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant leadership experience in nonprofit management, economic development, downtown revitalization, community development, tourism, business development, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience managing multiple programs, projects, partnerships, and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with business owners, elected officials, public agencies, donors, volunteers, and community members.
• Experience with fundraising, sponsorship development, grant administration, and budget management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, financial, and project-management abilities.
• Experience with marketing, public relations, social media, and community outreach.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative.
• Ability to navigate complex community issues with professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion.
• A collaborative leadership style and genuine enthusiasm for supporting local businesses and strengthening the community.

This is a full-time, in-person position with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience is preferred. Initial review of applications will begin on October 19; applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For those wanting to apply, please email cover letter and resume to admin@experiencechehalis.com.

View Full Job Description

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On Nov. 3, Chehalis voters will decide whether to renew that funding for another 10 years.

The measure is not a new tax. Voters originally approved the TBD in 2017. The measure on this year’s ballot would continue the existing 0.2% sales tax at the same rate, equal to 2 cents on a $10 purchase.

Since the TBD began, it has generated $11.2 million for transportation improvements in Chehalis. Funding has helped complete projects including reconstruction of NW Pacific Avenue and SW Chehalis Avenue, as well as sidewalk and pedestrian improvements along SW 13th Street.

TBD revenue also helps the City secure state and federal grants that allow local dollars to go further. The City has leveraged millions of dollars in outside funding for transportation projects, including a $4 million state grant for the first phase of the Downtown Rejuvenation Plan.

Upcoming transportation investments include Safe Routes to School improvements that will create safer walking and biking connections to local schools, parks and youth recreation facilities. The City is also working toward replacement of the aging Chamber Way Rail Bridge and future phases of downtown transportation improvements.

Because the TBD receives sales tax revenue, visitors who purchase goods and services in Chehalis also contribute to transportation improvements.

Residents can learn more about the Transportation Benefit District at ci.chehalis.wa.us/publicworks/page/transportation-benefit-district-renewal.

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Sponsored by Gesa Credit Union

The train departs from the railroad depot located in Chehalis at 1101 SW Sylvenus Street, across from the Veterans Memorial Museum at Exit 77 on I-5.

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Chehalis voters will be asked this November to renew the City’s existing Transportation Benefit District (TBD) sales tax at the same rate, not approve a new tax. One important benefit of TBD funding is its ability to help the City compete for millions of dollars in state and federal grants, allowing local transportation dollars to go further.

Many transportation grants require cities to contribute local funding toward a project before state or federal agencies will provide the rest. The City’s voter-approved TBD provides a dedicated source of transportation funding that can be used for those required matches.

Chehalis voters originally approved the TBD in 2017. The existing 0.2% sales tax is dedicated to streets, pedestrian safety projects, traffic congestion relief and matching funds for grants. The City is asking voters to renew the TBD for another 10 years at the same 0.2% rate, or 2 cents on a $10 purchase. The renewal will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.

Since the TBD began in 2017, it has raised approximately $11.2 million for transportation improvements and helped the City leverage an additional $12.9 million in state and federal grants.

“Having local funding available puts Chehalis in a much stronger position when we compete for grants,” Public Works Director Lance Bunker said. “Instead of asking local taxpayers to cover the entire cost of a major project, we can use those dollars to bring additional transportation funding into our community.”

One example is Phase I of the Downtown Rejuvenation Master Plan. The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board has committed $4 million toward the project, with approximately $4.11 million in local TBD funding helping provide the required match. Together, that creates an investment of more than $8.1 million in downtown transportation and infrastructure improvements.

The City also received a $1.75 million Washington State Department of Transportation grant for Safe Routes to School improvements. The project will add sidewalks, ADA-accessible curb ramps, pedestrian crossings and other safety improvements connecting local schools, parks and youth recreation facilities. TBD funding provides the cash flow needed for the City to advance the project and receive reimbursement through the grant.

TBD funding also helps position Chehalis to pursue major projects that would otherwise be difficult for a city of approximately 10,000 residents to fund locally. The City has secured $3 million in WSDOT grant funding to advance replacement of the Chamber Way Rail Bridge, in addition to $242,000 previously awarded for a feasibility study. Another $3 million is anticipated during the 2027-2029 biennium.

More information about the Transportation Benefit District and planned transportation projects is available at ci.chehalis.wa.us/publicworks/page/transportation-benefit-district.

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The Chehalis City Council recently passed a resolution placing a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) renewal before voters on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot. The ballot measure would renew the City’s existing voter-approved Transportation Benefit District for another 10 years at the current 0.2% sales tax rate.

If approved, the measure would continue providing dedicated local funding for street improvements, pedestrian safety projects, traffic congestion relief and the local matching funds needed to secure state and federal transportation grants.

“This funding has helped improve streets, sidewalks and pedestrian safety throughout Chehalis while bringing millions of dollars in state and federal grants into our community,” said Public Works Director Lance Bunker. “Renewing the Transportation Benefit District at the existing rate will help us keep that work moving forward.”

Since the Transportation Benefit District was established in 2017, it has generated approximately $11.2 million for transportation projects throughout the city, including improvements to Northwest Pacific Avenue, Southwest Chehalis Avenue and pedestrian safety enhancements along Southwest 13th Street.

The local funding has also enabled the City to leverage approximately $12.9 million in additional state and federal grants by providing the local matching funds required for many transportation projects. Those grants have supported major investments such as the Downtown Rejuvenation Plan, which will improve safety, accessibility, mobility and economic vitality in downtown Chehalis.

If renewed, Transportation Benefit District funding would continue supporting projects such as Safe Routes to School pedestrian and bicycle improvements, the Chamber Way Bridge replacement and future phases of the Downtown Rejuvenation Plan.

Additional information about the Transportation Benefit District renewal is available on the City’s website at ci.chehalis.wa.us/publicworks/page/transportation-benefit-district-renewal

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A buffet dinner is served on the deck as you line up to dine in our themed dining car as characters and entertainment unfold along the route. This two-hour experience is $89 per person and includes your three-course meal plus your scenic train ride. BBQ is catered by Joy’s Once Upon a Thyme: BBQ ribs, baked beans, macaroni salad, fruit slaw, and cornbread—finished with a chocolate cupcake with raspberry frosting. Lemonade, coffee, and water are included, and beer, wine, and cocktails will be available for purchase onboard.

Reservations are required—secure your seats early. The train departs promptly at 5:00 PM from our station just off I-5 Exit 77 in Chehalis (about 1.5 hours south of Seattle). After exiting, turn left onto Riverside Road and follow the signs to the rail yard. Our historic 1920s passenger cars seat up to 100 guests for a relaxing ride along 9 miles of scenic countryside beside the Chehalis River. Visit steamtrainride.com for tickets and details.

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