By Beth David, Editor
This weekend, the Fairhaven Office of Tourism sponsors one of its biggest events: The Old-Time Holiday, which features numerous activities around town, especially in the center (see page 7 for ad and last week’s issue for detailed listings). All events are free admission (except the house tours on Sunday).
As you walk around on Saturday from venue to venue buying Christmas gifts or just soaking up the Holiday Spirit, the bells from the Unitarian Memorial Church will be ringing out Christmas Carols, people will be bustling about just like the songs…busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style…and the atmosphere will be festive and friendly. Santa Claus will even make an appearance or two.
This year, a couple of new events will help to entice people into Fairhaven’s town center, with its magnificent old buildings donated by town benefactor Henry Huttleston Rogers (visit http://fairhaventours. com/henry-h-rogers/). It’s worth the visit just to see the buildings.
The Friends of the Millicent Library will hold a Holiday Book Fair featuring 20 local authors, who will be reading from their books and signing copies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Library, 45 Center Street.
The annual Town Hall Shops features about 25 nonprofit groups selling hand-crafted items in the auditorium (2nd floor) of town hall.
In front of town hall, you’ll find food and hot drinks by the Boy Scouts and other groups.
Just around the corner at the First Congregational Church, 34 Center Street, you’ll find the Old Brick Church Fair and Luncheon, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring craft vendors, baked goods and their famous lobster roll lunch. You’d better get there early for the lobster, though, because they always run out.
Just a block west, join in on the Craft Day at Art on Center, 15 Center Street. This great event will keep the whole family engaged with art projects, hot chocolate, and art.
Just two blocks east you’ll find stress-free shopping and sanctuary tours of the spectacular Unitarian church’s Holiday Marketplace, at 102 Green Street. St. Nicholas will be there among the crafters’ booths, baked goods and holiday greens. Next door, you can get soup and sandwich lunches.
One more block up and you can enjoy cookies and Santa at Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street. Now a long term care facility, the building was built as an inn by HHR. You’ll be treated to sweets and hot drinks and bring immeasurable cheer to the residents there.
After your shopping is done and you’ve had a chance to go home for a bit, you’ll be thinking that you need to spread a little bit of that Christmas cheer you picked up. So head right back to Town Hall for the Sing-Along at 6 p.m. Santa Claus will make a brief appearance and the Fairhaven Improvement Association will have plenty of free hot chocolate and snacks on hand.
On Sunday, join the Fairhaven Historical Society, starting at the Academy Building, 141 Main Street, for a holiday tour of historical houses in Fairhaven, including the grandiose Masonic Lodge at 20 Center Street (see ad on page 17). Call Ricky Goytizolo, 508-991-5675, for tickets ($25 day of, $20 in advance).
And, to close out your weekend of Christmas Cheer, join the Unitarian Memorial Church for a Service of Lessons and Carols at 4:30 p.m., featuring seasonal readings and music by Dwight Thomas and the choir of the UMC.
All venues are accessible except the Academy Building and the individual houses on the house tour. For more information on Fairhaven’s Old-Time Holiday, contact the Fairhaven Office of Tourism at 508-979-4085, or email FairhavenTours@aol.com
Click here to download the entire 12/8/16 issue: 12-08-16 iss_BenoitLights
