Starts December 1st
(Press Release) Holiday magic is once again coming to Middlebury, beginning on December 1st with A Very Merry Middlebury!
The Better Middlebury Partnership’s Very Merry Middlebury committee is planning a festive and fun-filled month of December, complete with visits from Santa, horse drawn wagon rides, Stag and Doe night, a breakfast with holiday characters, an “I Spy” contest with prizes, the Hot Chocolate Hut and free gift wrap for items purchased in Middlebury.
December 1-31: I Spy 10 Tiny Reindeer
Try to find the ten tiny reindeer hidden in ten store windows in downtown Middlebury and be entered to win $100 in Middlebury Money. Rules and contest details will be displayed in the window of the Vermont Bookshop beginning December 1st. This year’s reindeer are miniature framed original illustrations by renowned children’s author Ashley Wolff. Ten entrants will be drawn at random to win the reindeer illustrations at the conclusion of the contest. The contest is free.
December 1-31: Be Your Favorite Christmas Character
Ever wonder what you’d look like as a snowman? Or a gingerbread girl? Your family can pose for pictures with an assortment of adorable character cut-outs around town, including Santa, a nutcracker, gingerbread siblings, and snowmen (or ladies!). Posing with the character cut-outs is free.
Saturday, Dec. 6th: Santa’s Arrival
Kick the holiday season off with a fun-filled morning in Middlebury. At 9:45am, welcome Santa to Middlebury as he arrives via fire truck, over the Cross Street Bridge and up Main Street, going around twice to give everyone time to see him. Then, enjoy a visit with the right jolly old elf himself at the Middlebury Community House from 10:00-12:30pm. A juggler will be on hand to entertain families waiting in line and families can take an old fashioned horse drawn wagon ride through downtown Middlebury. Visits with Santa and the horse drawn wagon rides are both free.
Don’t leave Middlebury without doing a bit of holiday shopping. Anything purchased in Middlebury can be wrapped for free at 51 Main from 12:00-4:00pm—just show your receipt! And, of course, make time for a cozy cup of hot cocoa from the always-popular Hot Cocoa Hut in Cannon Park; just 25 cents for a cup with all the fixings! The Hot Cocoa Hut will be open from 9:30am-2:00pm.
Thursday, Dec. 11th: Stag & Doe Night
Your favorite Middlebury shops will be open late for extended shopping on Stag & Doe Night. In addition to great shopping, you can enjoy restaurant and drink specials and tastings by Woodchuck Cider, App Gap and more during your night out! To really make it festive, the SD Ireland Cement Truck will be on hand downtown to wow with their display of holiday lights.
The Hot Cocoa Hut (Cannon Park) and Gift Wrap Station (51 Main) will both offer extended hours as well—everything is open from 5:00-8:00pm. The tastings and gift wrap are all free.
Saturday, Dec 13th: Visit with Santa & Character Breakfast
Did you forget to ask Santa for something on your list? Catch him again at Maple Landmark Woodcraft from 10:00am to 12:00pm! This is a free event.
Gather your family for a delicious pancake breakfast, complete with a cast of characters that include Frozen’s Anna and Elsa, a gingerbread man, a snowman and a reindeer, all sure to entertain the little ones. This event will also include balloons, a photo booth (with props!) and a placemat to color featuring all of the Very Merry Middlebury characters. There will be two seatings, at 8:30am and 10:00am. Tickets are on sale at the Middlebury Inn, $8/adult and $5/child.
And, remember: anything purchased in Middlebury can be wrapped for free at 51 Main from 12:00-4:00pm—just show your receipt! The Hot Cocoa Hut in Cannon Park will be open from 10:00am-2:00pm; just 25 cents for a cup with all the fixings.
Saturday, December 20st: Visit with Santa
This is it—your last chance to visit Santa before he heads back to the North Pole to get things ready for the big day! See Santa one final time at Danforth Pewter from 10:00am-12:00pm. This is a free event.
And, finish up any last minute shopping in Middlebury, with free gift wrapping from 12:00-4:00pm at 51 Main for items purchased in town. (Don’t forget your receipt!) The Hot Cocoa Hut (Cannon Park) will be open from 10:00am-2:00pm, 25 cents/cup with all the fixings.
We need volunteers to help bring holiday magic to Middlebury; please sign up if you are able to help with one of the many fun events: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/
Spread the word and help us fill Middlebury with shoppers this holiday season! Visit experiencemiddlebury.com or contact Very Merry Middlebury at verymerrymiddlebury@gmail.com with any questions.