News & Features
December 2005

West Brookfield celebrates White Christmas

While we can't predict the color of Christmas, we did have a white Thanksgiving in West Brookfield!

December in historic West Brookfield ushers in one of the most enchanting events of the year — “White Christmas.” It marks the beginning of the holiday season stamped with its own simplicity and warmth for the whole family.

This year’s 13th annual festival, set from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, is filled with a lively combination of events such as horse drawn wagon rides, free raffles and refreshments, crafters, tree lighting and beautiful holiday music. Visitors will be treated to music by strolling carolers, grade school children and choral groups. The event will include 35 shops and businesses holding open houses. Each open house will be designated by a white flag.

Craft shows featuring many local artisans will be held at Ye Olde Tavern and at Quaboag on the Common. Horse drawn wagon rides around the common are planned from 2-6 p.m. West Brookfield Elementary School will host Elves “R” Us shopper’s corner for children and a music program beginning at noon. The Senior Center will host an open house with music and the library will provide seasonal readings with Devon Kurtz from Old Sturbridge Village at 2 p.m. The aroma of roasted chestnuts will fill the air and lovely seasonal wreaths can be purchased from the Boy Scouts.

The Whitefield Methodist Church will sponsor a children’s craft corner and serve donuts and cider from 1-4 p.m. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church will have a craft fair, art exhibit and sale of items from the Holy Land from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The First Congregational Church’s country store opens at 12:30 p.m. and includes a silent auction and a luncheon. “Carols and Cocoa” will be offered from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The lighting of the 70-foot high spruce tree with its 2,000 white lights will be at 6 p.m. on the Town Common. Some 100 luminaries will surround the tree. A concert featuring the First Church of Monson Choir, under the direction of Mary Milkey May, will be held in the Great Hall, on the 2nd floor of Town Hall at 6:45 p.m.

A complete program of events, including the location of open houses can be picked up at local businesses. Support for this fun-filled community event comes from town merchants advertising in the program booklet, as well as individual donations made to the “Adopt-a-Light” campaign.

For additional information, call Madeline Arn, chairperson, at (508) 867-4201 or Beverly Potvin at (508) 867-0549.