'Tis the season
Toolbox
Published: November 27, 2008
BARRE – In a few short hours (less if you slept in), Thanksgiving dinner will be nothing more than a pleasant memory, which means in two short days the Granite City will kick off its month-long Barre Merry Holidays celebration.
Thanks to the folks at the Barre Partnership, the fun begins on Saturday, with a 3 p.m. children's holiday party at the Old Labor Hall on Granite Street, followed by a Santa Claus-led parade down Main Street culminating with the annual tree-lighting ceremony in City Hall Park.
"We're expecting a big turnout," says Tania Lewis, who serves on the partnership's promotions committee.
According to Lewis, the committee (with help from the city and more than a few community residents) has arranged a wide array of activities for folks to enjoy this holiday season.
Horse-drawn wagon rides, a merchants window decorating contest, an assortment of craft activities and "Breakfast with Santa" are all on this year's menu.
The wagon rides, which will be a regular Saturday feature right up until Christmas in Barre, will run from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. this Saturday – ending just in time for the parade to begin lining up on Granite Street prior to its 5:15 p.m. start. Sponsored by WDEV and Community National Bank the wagon rides, which will begin and end on Depot Square, will run from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 6, 13, and 20.
Santa, who will drop in on Saturday's children's party at the Old Labor Hall and be back in Barre on Dec. 13 for a popular breakfast at the Barre Municipal Auditorium, will lead a parade that is open to all. Although his reindeer are resting up we're told the parade will feature the Frost Heaves' Bump the Moose. Parade participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Vermont Foodbank.
We'll update you on the breakfast, window decorating contest and the Aldrich Public Library's plans to host a couple of holiday craft days for children this year in coming days.
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