(Posted Nov. 21, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Smalltown charm shines during Mount Sterling’s annual Christmas in the Village, presented each year by the Mount Sterling Chamber of Commerce and the Mount Sterling Community Center. This year’s festivities are scheduled for Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
“We put it on for community pride and community spirit. We want to see people walking around town, supporting the businesses, having fun. And it’s something for the kids to build their excitement for Christmas,” said Chamber member Becky Martin.
“It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas for all ages,” added Annie Tomlinson, Community center director.
The weekend starts Nov. 30 with a Christmas Shop Hop from 4 to 8 p.m. Visitors who get a special card stamped at each participating business earn chances to win prizes. During that same time, churches, organizations, crafters and vendors will sell goods at the Merry Market on the town hall lawn. Mittens, gloves, hats and scarves–free to anyone who needs them–will be pinned to a “giving tree” at the town gazebo.
At 6 p.m., a tree lighting will take place at the gazebo. A choir will perform and Santa will hand out candy. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., a caricaturist will draw portraits at the Mad Hatter, 17 N. Main St. (rear), and a face painter will set up shop at the Little Shoppe on London, 28 N. London St.
The Community Center is sponsoring a gingerbread house contest, open to businesses, adults, youths, and families. The public is invited to vote for their favorites. Prizes go to the winners. Entries must be delivered to the center, 164 E. Main St., by 5 p.m. Nov. 30. The houses will be on display 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 1 at the center. For more information, call (740) 869-2453 or email msccinc@embarqmail.com.
The Community Center’s “Christmas in the Village” celebration is set for 2-4 p.m. Dec. 1. Festivities include a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Mount Sterling Public Library craft, an Ugly Christmas Shirt contest, music by the First United Methodist Church hand bell choir, refreshments, and a Christmas Past display by the Mount Sterling Community Museum. Judging for the Ugly Christmas Shirt contest is set for 2:30 p.m.
Visitors also are invited to make Christmas greeting cards for veterans at the VA Hospital in Chillicothe. Each child who visits Santa will receive a gift. Visitors can vote on their favorite gingerbread houses, as well as bid on a Christmas quilt created by the center’s Sew Social Ladies. The quilt silent auction runs Nov. 26-Dec. 21.
“The quilt is beautiful. It has a rural farm theme and is machine-quilted. I’m sure just because of where we live, it will be very popular,” Tomlinson said.
After the Community Center finishes its activities at 4 p.m., the Chamber will continue the fun into the evening. Churches, organizations, crafters and vendors will be back on the town hall lawn from 4 to 8 p.m. Businesses will stay open late for holiday open houses. The caricaturist and face painter will return from 4:30-6 p.m. An illuminated parade is set for 6 p.m.
To participate in the parade or for a sales space at the Merry Market, call Becky Martin at (740) 506-0006 or (740) 831-4200.
