Stephanie Kangiser Named ‘Master of Merriment’

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Stephanie Kangiser will help kick off the start of the holiday season as she flips the light switch to illuminate the water tower, a Christmas tree and Yelm City Park on Friday, Dec. 2. 

Kangiser was selected as this year’s Christmas Parade Master of Merriment for the Christmas in the Park event, which is organized by the Yelm Chamber of Commerce, Yelm Community Schools and the City of Yelm.

Kangiser was selected based on her service to the community, stated a news release from the city. She moved to Yelm in 2002 and started her business in 2012.

“Stephanie has immersed herself and her family in our community. Stephanie has a heart for service but is careful to make sure she’s serving her family first,” stated the release. “After waiting until her three boys grew into young men, Stephanie took action in her community, joining the Rotary Club, where she serves as a director on the board, has taken on a role as the membership chair, and hosts their main project, the Summer Food Program.”

In 2022, Kangiser helped ensure that more than 2,700 bags of food landed in the hands of local families who needed them most. She also serves on the board of directors for the Yelm Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally and Best of Nisqually Gala committees. Kangiser is also the secretary for Yelm Dollars for Scholars.



Kangiser’s favorite Christmas parade memory came from the 2014 Christmas parade. This year’s parade was canceled because of limited registration.

“It absolutely poured down rain throughout the entire time we were preparing and it stopped literally as we started rolling the parade,” Kangiser stated in the release. “We were a mess, but off we went tossing candy and having a good time improvising the entire float plan that had been washed away.” 

Kangiser said she has been consistently amazed by the close-knit community of Yelm. 

“I have loved serving the community, working on the boards of several entities, and watching this city grow,” she said.

The lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 at Yelm City Park.