Piscataquis Hometown Holidays events

Piscataquis Hometown Holidays is an event families eagerly anticipate each year. Countywide, municipalities and event-committees submit community events and business owners submit information on holiday sales, giveaways and more to the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce.

A master schedule is created for each town comprised of all submitted events and then promoted by the Chamber on piscataquischamber.com/events, the Chamber Facebook page and through various media outlets.Schedules are also provided to respective Piscataquis elementary schools. Hometown Holidays events occur through Saturday, Dec. 13.

Greenville: The Moosehead Lake Kiwanis Club launched its Christmas Wish Project on Nov. 15, placing trees throughout town with tags to take and return with purchased gifts for those in need this Christmas. Gifts must be purchased by Dec 15.

On Dec. 3 there will be a Holiday Trivia Night at Trailside Restaurant. Moosehead Festival of Trees will be held at Woody’s Bar and Grill from Dec. 5–7. More information can be found on the Destination Moosehead Lake Facebook page. Kids can enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Masonic Lodge on Dec 13. 

Through Dec. 19 kids can drop off their letters to Santa in the special mailbox located inside Indian Hill Trading Post.

Guilford: the town has a full schedule of amazing holiday events from through Dec. 12 from Christmas sales to free treats for kids and a multi-day holiday market. All events can be found at https://piscataquisforward.org/christmas-in-guilford.

Dover-Foxcroft: Kick off this year’s Christmas magic with “Buddy the Elf’s Jingle Jamboree”, based on the Christmas movie “Elf”. On Friday, Dec. 5 join Buddy, Jovie & the gang for a free screening of “Elf” at the Center Theatre! Gather your family and friends for a cozy, laugh-out-loud movie night that’s guaranteed to get you in the Christmas mood.

Dec. 6 activities in Dover-Foxcroft begin with an artisan fair hosted by the Piscataquis Republicans at their headquarters at 97 East Main St. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Thompson Free Library will host a merry morning of activities, including Christmas ornament-making for all participants, holiday card making for community seniors from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and delicious Pizzelle cookie-making from 10-11:30 a.m.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Modern Image Salon at 10 Lincoln St. will host Buddy the Elf and Jovie who will pose for a polaroid with children. There will be treats to enjoy, and each child will leave with a Christmas bell.

Also starting at 10 a.m. Bob’s Sugar House is hosting a Holiday Open House and Bob’s Birthday Celebration from until 5 p.m. at 252 E Main St.

From 11 a.m.  to 2 p.m., Subway located at 101 West Main St., will have photos with the Grinch and the Dover Handy Stop at 251 East Main St. will offer ornament decorating.

Penquis at 50 North St. will host Who Let the Dads Out, Buddy the Elf’s Workshop with candy, games, crafts and refreshments from 12-3 p.m.

From noon to 4 p.m. Dover True Value will continue its holiday scavenger hunt tradition with an Elf Crossword Scavenger Hunt starting at DTV at 69 East Main St., and will include multiple businesses. 

Bob’s Farm, Home and Garden will pick the winners for Bob’s Holiday Kids Coloring Contest at noon. Pick up your “Buddy the Elf” coloring page at 15 Lincoln St. and return to the store by Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. All coloring entries will be displayed in the front window of Bob’s!

Widdershins, LLC at 843 Bear Hill Road will feature a live nativity with hot drinks and cookies, plus wagon or sleigh rides (weather permitting) from 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Union Square Mall will host several festive activities, including temporary Christmas tattoos from 12–4 p.m., cookie decorating from 1–4 p.m., hot cocoa from 1–5 p.m., a classic Christmas story time from 3–4 p.m. and letter writing to Santa from 3–4:30 p.m.

The Maine Highlands Credit Union on West Main St. will have hot cocoa, cider and homemade treats from 1-3 p.m.

The annual Seavey Farm Horse and Carriage rides will return to Lincoln Street for families to enjoy from 2-5 p.m. Pickup and Drop off at the North Street side of Lincoln Street.

Because the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear; Old-fashioned carolers in costume will sing your favorite Christmas carols at 4:30 p.m. The Festival of Lights Parade will light the way for Santa’s sleigh, rolling out from Foxcroft Academy at 5 p.m. (line up at 4:30 p.m.) and pausing at the fire station where Santa will light-up the town Christmas tree with a magical touch of his nose! Directly after, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will continue to Central Hall Commons at 152 East Main St. to visit with children until 7 p.m.

Later in December the Foxcroft Academy Key Club Festival of Stockings returns on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14 at Foxcroft Academy. In addition to the stockings, there will be a 50/50 raffle, photo opportunities with Santa and many more activities! For more information or to donate, contact George Rolleston (Key Club advisor) at grolleston@foxcroftacademy.org.

The Dover-Foxcroft Hometown Holidays Committee would like to thank this year’s generous sponsors: Fidium Fiber, TL Salley’s General Contracting, Camden National Bank, Rowell’s Garage, AE Robinson Oil Co, Foxcroft Printers, Lary Funeral Home and Piscataquis Monumental.

Monson: The annual Kris Kringle Market will be brimming with festive fun at the Monson Gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Enjoy bake sales, handmade crafts from 30 local artisans and crafters, live entertainment, homemade food, wreaths, holiday music and a visit from Santa Claus. Don’t miss the Gingerbread House Competition, door prizes, raffles and so much more holiday cheer! The Kris Kringle Committee will be serving lunch starting at 11 a.m., and will also be selling 50/50 raffle tickets, with door prizes being awarded hourly. Cookie decorating for kids will take place at noon and Santa Claus will arrive at 1 p.m. 

All entries for the annual Gingerbread House Competition must be at the gym by 10 a.m. Ribbons will be awarded to the top three creative and well-crafted entries. A holiday village will be created with the entries and the theme for this year’s competition is “winter fun”. This is the only fundraiser for the Kris Kringle Committee which uses the proceeds to purchase Christmas gifts for local needy children. For further information call Annalee Libby at 207-997-3268 or libby04406@gmail.com or check the Town of Monson website.

Milo: Hometown Holiday events kick off in Milo on Friday evening, Dec 5 with the Milo Masonic Lodge’s 3rd Annual Festival of Trees at the Milo American Legion on Dec. 5-6 from 10 a.m.  to 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will end with a drawing and calling of winners after 2 p.m. on Sunday.

On Saturday, Dec. 6 come enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Penquis Valley School cafeteria from 8-1030 a.m. From 3-7 p.m. there will be Christmas crafts, refreshments and snacks at the Milo Town Hall Dining Room. The Milo Hometown Holidays Light Parade kicks off at 5 p.m. from the Riverside Street and West Main Street intersection, following a brand new route that loops through town in sparkling holiday style. The parade will arrive at the Community Christmas Tree on Park Street between 5:45–6 p.m., where everyone is invited to gather for cheerful caroling and a magical tree lighting ceremony with Santa! Greeting with Santa at Milo Town Hall Auditorium. Door prize: “Pick your own” balsam fir Christmas tree. All are welcome to participate in the parade; no registration needed. Please note, no walkers allowed for safety reasons. Parade lineup starts at 4:30 p.m. All Milo events will be held regardless of weather.

Dexter: The Town of Dexter will hold the annual Tree Lighting & Town Christmas Party on Friday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall. There will be a mitten tree for kids to pick out a free pair of mittens, and Santa will be at the party, too! On Saturday, Dec. 6 the Dexter Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. with lineup beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the fire station. The parade will end at the Maine Highlands FCU. Get creative and help Dexter light up!

Sebec: The Sebec Reading Room will host gingerbread house decorating on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. The event is free for kids ages 3-18. Reservations are highly encouraged please call 207-564-3232 to reserve a spot and to ensure each child receives a fresh-baked gingerbread house!

Bowerbank: Bear Point Marina is holding the 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa and cookie decorating activity from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The address is 123 Bear Point Road.

More information on Piscataquis Hometown Holiday events can be found at www.piscataquischamber.com/events/.