Added on November 10, 2014 Sara Swanson

Christmas in the Village 2014 - Lighted Parade, Craft Shows

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With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s almost time for another traditional Manchester downtown event, Christmas in the Village! The holiday fun will kick off on Friday, Nov. 21, with a nighttime, lighted parade and Santa greeting kids on the Mill porch. The next day, Saturday, Nov. 22 will be a full day of craft shows, open houses and sales around the Village as well as special hours & promotions at downtown businesses and festive additions to menus of local restaurants.

Friday Night: Parade and Tree Lighting

One of the most anticipated aspects of this year’s Christmas in the Village is the return of the parade to Friday evening. For years the parade was held at night. Village resident, Theresa Herron recalls past nighttime parades, “I remember one Christmas in the Village parade when it was misty and the lights were all muted, probably 10 years ago. It was cold but not windy, and it felt like magic was in the air.” But for the last few years, the parade was moved to Saturday during daylight hours. Many felt that the magic was lost and participation and interest in the parade decreased. As area resident Julie Helquist stated, “There is nothing 'magical' about holiday lights in the daytime.”

In addition to restoring the popularity of the parade, Denise Collins, co-organizer of the parade, explained that they are hoping that the parade will draw more people downtown at night and that many businesses that usually are not open at night have agreed to stay open late. Collins stated, “the parade is what we are most excited about. We have been working hard on this and we are hoping we can expand the parade in the future. Everyone loves a parade, the children and the child in all of us.” They have 20 participants signed up for the parade including the American Legion, Manchester Marching band, the Mounted Police, The Fire Dept., floats with students, business floats, a float with dogs, pickup trucks, and walking groups.

New this year is a contest for Middle and High School groups for the best lighted float. While the contest was originally intended to have 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes, only 2 groups have floats registered, the Key Club and the Builders Club. 1st place will receive $150 and 2nd place will receive $100. Prize money was donated by the Manchester Area Friends. The organizers hope to have more Middle and High School kids interested in the float contest in years to come.

Earlier this year the Chamber of Commerce, who organizes Christmas in the Village, performed a survey and the majority surveyed preferred a nighttime parade. The decision was made to move the parade back to Friday night, but with changes aimed at increasing the safety of the students participating in the parade. For years, the Friday night parade included young students riding on trailers from the Middle School parking lot. When the parade was moved to Saturday the students walked from Wurster park. After making the decision to move it back, the Chamber met with Sgt. Cook, the Village Council, and fire department. This year the whole route ridden by students will be closed with barricades. Instead of sitting outside on the open floats in a parking lot waiting for the start of the parade, this year the children will be waiting inside Emanuel Church school rooms. When it is their turn to get on the float, the float will pull up to the back door and the children will load up and go out into the parade. As in previous years, their parents will pick them up by the Mill at the end of the parade. Also new this year, while older children will still have chaperones, pre-k and kindergarten children will be required to have a parent riding with them.

In addition to the parade on Friday is the Christmas in the Village tree lighting ceremony. Santa will bring up the end of the parade in a horse drawn carriage pulled by Mr. Macomber and will be dropped off at the Mill. The mayor will give Santa the key to the village, then Santa will pull the switch to light the tree. The tree is a 7 & 1⁄2 foot artificial tree donated by Worth Repeating decorated by the Mill. After the festivities on Saturday, Worth Repeating will donate the tree to a local family identified by Manchester Family Services as needing to have their Holiday Season brightened.

The Coffee Mill is staying open late on Friday offering a “Friday Night Parade Dinner” from 5pm -9pm. Kellie’s will be serving hot chocolate and coffee during the parade. And Franks, who is always open Friday nights, will be be offering hot chocolate on the street.

Saturday: A Day Of Shopping

Christmas in the Village has always been held before Thanksgiving because of deer hunting. The idea was that while the men were hunting why not offer an opportunity for the women at home to shop. There are plenty of opportunities to shop on Saturday. Morning sales start early with the Mom-2-Mom sale run by the Co-op Preschool at the Manchester High School. Early-bird admission at 8am costs $2 ($1 after 9am). The sale runs until noon. Five craft shows (all with free admission) start at 9am around the Village at Emanuel United Church of Christ, Manchester United Methodist Church, Sharon United Methodist Church, Country Craft and Barn on Bethel Church and a craft show new this year run by the Chamber at the St. Mary’s Parish Center. (Lunch with Santa, which used to be held in St. Mary’s Parish Center during Christmas in the Village has moved to Dec. 6, from 2-4pm.) In addition to handmade treasures, offerings include German baked goods & pretzels, a cake walk, live wreaths, raffles, baked goods, and antiques. (See map below for locations.) Download a printable map and schedule of the craft shows & sales here: 2014Christmasvillageflyer .

Hungry shoppers will have lots of options. At least 3 of the craft show locations will be selling lunch. Kellie’s will be open from 7am to 2pm and will be serving quiche and souflette for breakfast as well as pulled pork sandwiches, po'boys and homemade soups for lunch. They will also have pumpkin rolls for sale while they last. Franks will feature Christmas in the Village specials and dessert specials. The Coffee Mill will have available fresh baked pastries, homemade soups, peppermint mochas & more from 7am to 4pm. They will re-open for those over 21 from 8pm to 2pm for an Ugly Holiday Sweater party full of fun, music, dancing and prizes.

Downtown businesses will be doing their part to bring the shoppers into the village. The Manchester Pharmacy will be holding a Holiday Open House from 9am - 3pm. In addition to sales they’ll hold a drawing for a gift basket and be offering refreshments and snacks throughout the day. The Flower Garden will be holding a drawing for a free Thanksgiving centerpiece. Steelegrafix, will have a special sale on holiday cards. Many more Main street stores will have their doors open all day, including our newest shop, Hearthstone of Manchester selling artisan creations and vintage collectibles and our newest salon, Tres Beau Salon which accepts walk-ins. Entertaining downtown shoppers will be singers from Emanuel United Church of Christ choirs walking thru town singing carols.

Collins has been working hard for months along with other members of the Chamber on Christmas in the Village. She stated that what she really wants people to know is that “in Manchester we can have an awesome parade and showcase our town with our businesses, crafters, vendors, and our wonderful community.”