Karaoke Christmas carols, Hanukkah games and a boxing demonstration are the latest additions to South Berwick’s annual Home for the Holidays celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 4. With several new businesses opening downtown in the past year, there will be more than a dozen free activities for the whole family.
Caroling through downtown and cookie decorating at Pepperland Cafe have become centerpieces of the Friday night fun, while the Women’s Holiday Art Show on Friday and Saturday provides an anchor in Town Hall.
During the last five years, Home for the Holidays has grown from a small grassroots endeavor into a mainstay of the town’s season, with downtown business owners opening their doors to the public. Among the new businesses are Lenks Orthodontics, which will give out dippin dots; PricePoint Eyewear, which will host the karaoke caroling party, and Early Bird Cafe, which is holding a pancake breakfast.
From the Federated Church to Nature’s Way Market, establishments will be offering everything from free soup to crafts, raffles, chamber music and merry-making. For the first year, Hanukkah games will be part of the fun as Bob’s Trophy will host a the dreidel activity and menorah lighting.
“The celebration is always great time to see neighbors and friends downtown” said Puff Uhlman, one of the SmartGrowth volunteers who organized this year’s event. “Home For the Holidays reminds residents that shopping downtown is more fun and more neighborly, saves gas and supports the local economy.”
The festival originally was an outgrowth of the Women’s Holiday Art Sale, now in its 11th year, which runs 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Town Hall Auditorium. The fine jewelry, cowgirl goods, pottery, soap and other items are made by two dozen women from the area.
Artist Roger Morin will display his floral artwork at Abby Chic florist, while Susan Gregory will sell wristies specialty gloves at Vacuum Village. Further down Main Street, Sen. Peter Mills will greet people at Civil Consultants, where Spring Hill Restaurant will sell tortes and give out gift certificates.
The Sarah Orne Jewett House will open its first floor and gift shop to visitors Friday night, where redware pottery, glassware, books and stationery will be available. Portico Realty will host local videographer Tim Benoit’s work, “South Berwick” featuring montages of present day scenes and photos from the Old Berwick Historical Society.
In addition to Santa Claus welcoming children for a photo op at P. Gagnon & Son, Mrs. Claus will read stories at the Public Library, where visitors are also invited to make bookmarks and ornaments. Ocean Bank will help children write a letter to Santa, and York Hospital is inviting children for face painting and snacks.
Across the bridge in Rolllinsford, Doodlebugz pottery studio will be open for those who want to make unique gifts, and the Bead Bin invites visitors to make free zipper pulls.
For a complete listing of activities, download the Home for the Holidays Brochure Page 1 and Page 2.
