Plans starting now for Christmas in the Village

2016 Christmas in the Village lighted parade

On Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1, Manchester will observe a decades-old tradition, “Christmas in the Village.”

Christmas in the Village organizers are inviting everyone interested in having an active role in Christmas in the Village this year to attend the first planning meeting which will be held on Friday, September 21 at 7 pm at Albers Mill, located on the corner of Main and Adrian Streets. This year’s theme has already been chosen and will be announced at the meeting.

One of the three main organizers, Jennifer Wojtowicz, stated, “Anyone interested in helping put on this Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce event, is welcome to attend! We will be improving upon last year’s activities, adding some new stuff and moving some things around.”

This summer the Community Update, an annual publication containing information from the school district, Chamber of Commerce and Community Resource Center sent to all Manchester area residents, contained incorrect dates for this year’s Christmas in the Village. Wojtowicz stressed, “There is a correction in a previously published date for the event. Christmas in the Village will take place this year on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1.”

Running concurrently with Christmas in the Village again this year will be the Christmas Home Tour. The Saturday afternoon ticketed event raises money for downtown Manchester holiday decorations and will featured tours of the interiors of decorated homes in the Pleasant Lake area this year.

Brand new this year, the Art Kettle located on West Main Street will be holding a Yule Ball on Friday evening, beginning after the lighted parade which kicks off Christmas in the Village. The Yule Ball will transport attendees back in time for a Victorian-style Ball and will feature music and dance instruction by the Dodworth Saxhorn band and costumed re-enactors provided by the historical society. This event will include free and ticketed time slots.

Questions about Christmas in the Village? Contact Jennifer Wojtowicz at PPSListings@gmail.com, Deborah Albers at DeborahsListings@gmail.com, or Linda Stevens at 734-428-7684.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.