‘Hometown Holidays’ features family fun for everyone

Contributed Article

    With Thanksgiving week barely over, the spirit of Christmas has already found its way into our homes and businesses and on our radio stations. As in years past, Piscataquis County has chosen one specific day to make this season a priority, giving families and visitors an opportunity to enjoy all the wonder and joy it has to offer.

    This year, the big day is going to be Saturday, Dec. 6, with activities in Monson, Milo, Guilford and Dover-Foxcroft. The Greenville area got a head start on the season last weekend with its “Deck the Halls” celebration. However, many stores in Greenville will be open on Friday nights through the holidays this year (see separate story).
    In Monson from 8-9 a.m., folks who participated are asked to drop off their Christmas tree creations in front of the Monson gym as part of the “Christmas Tree Challenge.” The trees in this challenge must be made from recyclable/reusable materials to construct a 5-6 foot tree. The trees will remain on display until 3 p.m. The public can vote for their favorite tree for a $1 donation and all funds will be used to purchase winter clothing for local children in need.
    The 30th annual Kris Kringle Fair kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Monson gym with crafters selling jewelry, fabric items, folk art, wreathes, wooden items, ornaments, homemade food and more.
    Entries for the gingerbread house contest must be at the gym by 10 a.m. Ribbons will be awarded to the top creative and well-crafted entries. “Christmas in Monson” is this year’s theme.
    Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kris Kringle raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day with prizes awarded hourly.
    Finally, Santa arrives in Monson at 1 p.m.!
    This year in Milo, Santa is coming for breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Penquis Valley High School cafeteria, and is planning to stay until 10 a.m. Donation for breakfast is $4 per person.
    Country Blessings is holding an open house with a storewide holiday sale, door prizes, music and refreshments from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
    From 9 a.m.-noon, the Park Street United Methodist Church will hold a Christmas fair with a beef stew luncheon from 11 a.m,-12:30 p.m.
    The Milo town hall dining room will hold crafts and snacks from 4-6 p.m.
    The Hometown Holidays parade will begin at 5 p.m., with the tree lighting and caroling at the Milo Fire Department at 5:15 p.m.
    At 5:30 p.m., Santa returns to greet children once again in the town hall lobby. Holiday hayrides will run from the town hall beginning at 5:30 p.m., at which time the winners of the home and business lighting contest will be announced.
    At 7 p.m., there will be a bonfire and skating (weather permitting) at the Harris Field skating rink on Elm Street.
    The town of Guilford will begin festivities at 5 p.m. when the Guilford Historical Society will hold a Christmas sale of Guilford memorabilia and serve free hot chocolate and sweets.
    At 6 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive, and Guilford families are asked to come to help Santa count down to the tree lighting in the Braeburn lot.
    The Piscataquis Community Secondary School staff, and friends will be caroling by the bonfire in the Edes lot after the tree lighting to end the night.
    Dover-Foxcroft festivities begin at 8 a.m. on Dec. 6 with a Kris Kringle Coffee at the Congregational Church.
    From 1-4 p.m., Bob’s Sugarhouse is holding a Christmas open house and Bob’s birthday party, with music, free samples, door prizes, discounts and a birthday cake! Stop in and pick up some great stocking stuffers!
    From 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Thompson Free Library is hosting a cookie decorating and ornament-making craft time.
    Beginning at noon, Pat’s Pizza is holding a holiday bazaar in the Spaulding Room until 7 p.m. There will be eight vendors present, including Origami Owl, Mary Kay, Scentsy, Jamberry Nails, Tastefully Simple, Longaberger Basket, Pampered Chef and Thirty-One.
    The second annual Imagine Tour will be held in conjunction with Hometown Holidays in Dover-Foxcroft again this year, giving the community and potential business tenants the ability to “imagine” what it would be like to be in the available spaces downtown.
    The Imagine Tour will run through Union Square Mall with current tenants participating — and the Riverfront Redevelopment Project — from 12-4 p.m.
    Starting at 1 p.m., Johnston Christmas Trees of Parkman will be selling trees near the fire station.
    At Center Theatre, children can compose a letter to Santa with the help of Santa’s elves from 1-2 p.m. All letters written to Santa receive a response.
    Also, from now until Dec. 5, there will be a “North Pole” mailbox at Will’s Shop n Save. These letters will be picked up by the elves on Dec. 6.
    After the letter-writing at Centre Theatre, there will be a story time at 2 p.m. which includes a puppet show, followed by “A Muppet Christmas Carol” from 3-4:30 p.m.
    Beginning at 4 p.m., enjoy some holiday treats at the Modern Image Salon while you wait your turn for horse-drawn carriage rides on Lincoln Street, running until 6 p.m.
    Visit the Polar Express at the railroad club across from Center Theatre from 3-5 p.m.
    Starting at 4:30 p.m., the Derespino sisters will be singing Christmas tunes at the fire station, while awaiting Santa’s arrival and during his visits with the children.
    The Festival of Lights Parade will begin at 5 p.m. at Foxcroft Academy and end at the fire station with Santa and Mrs. Claus exiting the fire truck in time for a countdown to the tree lighting. Inside the fire station, the Foxcroft Academy Band will have food and desserts for sale to benefit their trip to march in the Disney parade. There will also be activities and items for sale inside the fire station while Santa & Mrs. Claus greet the children.
    This year, the choirs of several local churches are coming together for a Community Christmas Concert at Foxcroft Academy beginning at 7 p.m. Entrance is by donation, benefiting the Piscataquis Santa Project. Each choir will sing two pieces, followed by two combined pieces with all choirs, ending the evening with choirs and the audience standing to sing “Silent Night”.
    Also this year, the Piscataquis Chamber will present a “traveling trophy” to the business in the county which displays the greatest holiday spirit. Each town will pick a winner, then a committee will pick from all the winners to determine who gets the trophy. Photos of the finalists will be posted on the Chamber’s Facebook page. The winning business gets to keep the trophy until next Hometown Holidays, receiving coverage through various media sources.
    All photos must be emailed to exdir@piscataquischamber.com by Dec. 6. This contest provides promotion for the selected businesses and lights up Piscataquis County in hopes of bringing visitors in from afar!
    Also in Dover Foxcroft, on Sunday, Dec. 7 the Foxcroft Academy Key Club is holding their 3rd annual Reindeer Run beginning at 1 p.m. with registration from 12-12:45 p.m., in conjunction with Penquis Valley, Dexter, Nokomis, Greenville and PCHS Key Clubs.
    This is a charity event to raise money for children in our communities, so that they may enjoy the Christmas season! To register for the charity walk/run, please visit piscataquischamber.com and click on “Forms & Documents” to print a registration form.