By Sterling McGinn
It is beginning to look a little like Christmas in Newberry.
Our famous decorations were recently strung across main street by the Water and Light department for their 68th season and we received a good blanket of snow.
Now that we are just weeks away from the holidays, a three-day Christmas in the Village event, like the ones from days gone by, will be taking place Thursday, December 11 through Saturday, December 13.
Now in its’ third season, the Newberry Christmas event is coordinated by a committee consisting of local citizens and representatives from businesses and organizations all coming together to bring holiday cheer to the area. Local businesses and organizations have also sponsored many of the programs.
Like last year, the programs will be divided among three days instead of the traditional one-day event.
“We will be returning the free community Christmas meal, Christmas light parade, and providing two matinees including free admission, popcorn and drink,” said Elizabeth Magnuson, one of the event organizers.
On Thursday, December 11, there will be a night of family crafts, including cookies and hot chocolate, at the 4-H office at MSU extension in the Pathways building. This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Friday, December 12, the Community Christmas Meal will be served in the James Lone Hall at the American Legion Post 74 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The feast will include ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, rolls, butter, and dessert. There is no charge to attend.
Saturday will have the largest number of events. The day will begin with a Polar Express matinee at the Tahqua Land Theatre at 11 a.m.
“We will be pairing the Polar Express matinee with an event at Highline Internet,” said Magnuson. “They will have cookies, cocoa, and Polar Express activities.”
Attendees will notice that there has been a big change in Saturday’s event venue. The group decided to bring Saturday’s programs to downtown to create a Christmas Under the Lights theme.
“We have spent many hours transforming the Legion into a Christmas Wonderland, but we came to realize, why would we spend all this time trying to create this Christmas magic inside when our downtown is gorgeous already,” Magnuson said. “That is when we realized we need to highlight our Christmas bells and utilize our downtown.”
The committee wanted to return the nostalgic Christmas feel by bringing the events back to downtown.
“We have heard stories from many current and former residents who have cherished Christmas memories downtown,” Magnuson said. This means the 300 block of Newberry Avenue/M-123, will be blocked off during Saturday evening.
One of the highlights will be the Village Light parade at 5 p.m. Participants are encouraged to create floats with Christmas lights and other decorations. Lineup will begin on East Victory Way at 4 p.m., with registration taking place at the American Legion.
The parade will travel north from Victory Way to Truman Boulevard. There will be prizes for the best use of the theme. First place: $500, second place: $300 and third place: $200. Participates are invited to park their floats after the parade at the celebration downtown.
Following the parade, children can visit Santa Claus, see the Village Christmas tree in the Renze Ford parking lot, enjoy live music by Michelle Chenard, play reindeer games, make Christmas crafts and much more.
Downtown businesses will also offer specials. Grover Real Estate, in the Old Bank Building, will provide 60 Lego ornaments, goodie bags, and refreshments. Anyone making a purchase at U.P. Trading can enter the $100 gift certificate raffle. Those who dine at Timber Charlie’s and Rincon Mexicano will have a chance to win a gift certificate.
Saturday night will conclude with an adults-only Ugly Christmas Sweater party from 9 p.m. to midnight at Z’s lounge.
Sunday will round out the weekend with an “Elf” matinee at Tahqua Land Theatre at 11 a.m. and Santaland at the Elks Lodge from noon to 3:30 p.m.
Members of the event’s planning committee said they’ve received a very positive response for this year’s event. They have encouraged the community to join in with the fun programs lined up for this season.
“Our local businesses are always so generous to our community,” Magnuson said. “Hopefully bringing this fun, weekend-long Christmas in the Village event brings people out and about in our community supporting these local businesses.”
