Dover-Foxcroft kids celebrate holiday season with Santa and Mrs. Claus
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Area families packed the Dover-Foxcroft fire station for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the iconic pair lit the downtown Christmas tree with their magic touch Saturday night.
The event was part of Hometown Holidays, which are celebrations that ring in the holiday season in Piscataquis County communities. This year, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville, Milo and Monson held festivities or have upcoming ones, according to the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, which promoted them on its website and social media.
SANTA CLAUS COMES TO TOWN — A family visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who made their annual appearance and handed out candy canes at the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 3,
From ornament and garland making at the Thompson Free Library to carolers in Charles Dickens garb downtown, Dover-Foxcroft offered families a variety of activities, despite dreary weather conditions.
The Festival of Lights parade and horse and buggy rides were canceled due to rain, but Santa still made an appearance, which is the part that area children look forward to most, said Cindy Schmand-Philbrook, head organizer for the Hometown Holidays committee in Dover-Foxcroft.
WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS — Brody Crocker, 6, smiles for a photograph with Santa and Mrs. Claus after a visit with them on Saturday. His sister, Emsley Gary, 4, accepted a candy cane, but watched the iconic Christmas characters from a distance. Children asked Santa for hoverboards, clothes, Barbie dolls and other gifts this year.
“It’s going great considering the weather,” she said Saturday, supervising the line of children waiting to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. “We’ve had an excellent turnout.”
Schmand-Philbrook thanked volunteers, businesses who donated, the fire department for clearing its station for the event, Treeline Storage for the tree and Denise Buzzelli, the chamber’s executive director. Without them, the festivities wouldn’t be possible, she said.
HOLIDAY MUSIC — A group of carolers sang a variety of holiday songs in downtown Dover-Foxcroft as part of Hometown Holidays events.
HELPING OUT — Nonie Plante, left, is a Pittsfield resident who volunteered to work with children at the craft table during holiday festivities at the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department on Dec. 3.
Kenzie Stone, left, and Oliver Dill-Marston color during holiday festivities at the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 3. The classmates are 7 years old.
CHRISTMAS TREE — A giant Christmas tree, which Santa Claus lit with his magic touch earlier in the evening, shines in downtown Dover-Foxcroft.
IN LINE TO SEE SANTA — Area parents and children wait in line to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 3. Volunteers decorated the fire station for the annual holiday event that families look forward to each winter.