Fireworks on the Creamery Pier will welcome children and their families to Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest on Thursday, Dec. 6. Santa will make a visit and the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce will offer cocoa and tasty treats. (Photo courtesy Bob Bond)
The joyous Christmas season is meant for children — and so Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest will offer wondrous activities to delight youngsters and their families.
Songs, Santa Claus, shopping, and a big cuddly dog in a reindeer costume all invite the young ones to visit the village from Thursday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 9.
Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest week will start on Saturday, Dec. 1 with the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting on Wiscasset Common, starting around 4 p.m. Santa will visit and schoolchildren will lead the community in singing carols.
Following the outdoor activities, all are invited to enjoy cocoa and cookies in the First Congregational Church, next door to the Common.
On Sunday, Dec. 2, one can return to the First Congregational Church, 28 High St., for an Advent craft workshop from noon-2 p.m. and make Christmas cards and festive decorations to take home. This is a drop-in event and free to all.
On the first official day of Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest, Thursday, Dec. 6, people are invited to gather on the Creamery Pier as darkness descends for Light Up Wiscasset. One can visit with Santa, take part in community caroling, and enjoy a big fireworks display. The fun will begin around 5 p.m. and the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce will be offering cocoa and other seasonal treats in their information shack. This is a drop-in event and free to all.
On Friday, Dec. 7, one can head to the Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Road, where the Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department will be sponsoring a gingerbread house workshop for families from 6-7:30 p.m. The gingerbread houses and all kinds of colorful decorations will be provided. One can decorate to one’s heart’s content and take home a masterpiece for the holiday table or a sweet treat to eat. Advance reservations are required along with a family fee. For more information and registration, call 882-8230.
Fritz, the rescued Newfoundland, will be at the Friends of Wiscasset Public Librarys shopping event just for children in his holiday attire on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Photo courtesy Bob Bond)
Friends of the Wiscasset Public Library invites children to a special shopping event just for them on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 21 High St. Really big elves will help youngsters choose gifts, all very reasonably priced, for family and friends, with gift-wrapping on site, too. And Fritz, the beloved Newfoundland dog rescued by the Leighton family, will be on hand in his reindeer outfit to give love. He also unashamedly enjoys being part of family photos taken at the library.
Everyone loves to ride the shuttle: on Saturday, Woodfield Farm’s horse-drawn wagon will be looping through Wiscasset village to help shoppers get from place to place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids, with an adult, are welcome to just get on and ride, however. The rides are free, but donations are appreciated. This is such a charming and relaxing way to enjoy the neighborhood.
On Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9, the final day of Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest, members of the Sheepscot Valley Chorus and the First Congregational Church Chorus will be ambling around the village from noon-2 p.m. One can listen or join the voices and fill their hearts with warmth.
In addition to these family-friendly events, Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest offers an expanding list of adult activities. The full calendar of events can be found at wiscassetholidaymarketfest.com. Sparkling candy canes will identify Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest participants and sidewalk elves will be on hand to answer questions and direct visitors.
Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest 2018 is a Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce event. Learn more at wiscassetholidaymarketfest.com.
