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RANGELEY – This town knows how to celebrate Christmas.
Caroling, refreshments, a community Christmas party with an annual parade of trees auction to benefit the local Rotary and Chamber’s programs, breakfast with Santa, and super shopping deals all over town will be capped off with the 32nd annual Walk to Bethlehem during the Mountain Holly Days this weekend.
The event started seven years ago as an effort to entice shoppers to stay local with their purchases. That tradition continues with most shops and businesses offering great discounts, but has now grown into a great community get together and fund raiser
Against a backdrop of fresh new snow and little decorated Christmas trees up on the utility poles all along Main Street, Rangeley and Oquossoc know how to give a warm, welcoming season’s greetings to shoppers.
“We’re a winter wonderland here,” said Judy Morton, executive director at the sponsoring Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
The fun begins tonight at the Oquossoc Grocery’s wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m., along with dozens of participating shops offering special sales this weekend. Santa’s Workshop child care is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Little Mountain School, 4 High Street in Rangeley. You can drop your children off and, while you do some serious shopping, they’ll be working on an arts and crafts project. Donations will be gratefully accepted for the craft work materials; call Virginia 864-5875 for more info.
On Saturday, the Rangeley Lakes Regional School’s talented carolers will be singing at the Rangeley Lakes Builders Supply from 10 to 11 a.m. and onto the Alpine shop from 11 a.m. to noon.
New this year, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Haley Pond Park in Rangeley, roasting marshmallows and free hot chocolate will keep everyone warm and happy. The Snow Source shop, Corner Store and Ecopelagicon are sponsoring the event.
Over in Oquossoc, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the Gingerbread House Restaurant is hosting the Community Christmas Party with a buffet dinner and an auction of decorated trees and wreaths beginning at 7:30 p.m. A portion of the dinner and the auction proceeds go to benefit the Rotary and Chamber programs.
Local businesses have seasonally decorated, many with the addition of special gift certificates and coupons, six large Christmas trees, two small table top trees and six festive wreaths to be auctioned off, Morton said. Of special note, Saddleback Maine has gone all out to decorate a tree with a season pass good for the next 10 years. The tree is valued at $6,000 and when bids surpass $3,500 (remember this is for charity), the decade-long ski pass will go with it. “Skiers will want this tree,” Morton predicted.
To top off the evening, the long-awaited drawing for a Florida vacation for two with airfare included will be held after the auction. Tickets, up until the drawing, are $10 or 3 for $25. Imagine this, Morton said, it’s possible for someone to win and go on a Florida vacation for $10.
On Sunday, Santa Claus will be visiting the Gingerbread House from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Magic Christmas hayrides from the Oquossoc Grocery will run from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Crafts for kids on the store’s porch will keep them busy too.
At 5:30 p.m. at the Rangeley Inn on Main Street, the annual Bethlehem Walk will begin. The processional and pageant, sponsored by the Rangeley Friends of the Arts, is led by adults playing Mary, Joesph and the three wisemen.
The quintet and supporters joining them, head up Main Street in search of a place to stay for the night, stopping at churches along the way. The Catholic Church has no room at the inn, but does have Christmas carolers; the Baptist Church doesn’t have any room either and the Congregational Church is full, too, but provides a warm up while everyone sings Silent Night. At last, the Episcopalian Church of the Good Shepherd has room for everyone. It is here the procession ends and the entertainment begins with music, skits, children are chosen to be angels and the Christmas story is read.
“It’s magical,” Morton said. For a detailed look at the events and shopping deals, click here.
Just an update to the event schedule for your readers. Because of the possibility of ice and rain in the area on Sunday, the hayrides from the Oquossoc grocery have been cancelled.