GRAFTON — Organizers of the second annual Christmas in Grafton Festival on Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 promise a dose of merriment to start the holiday season.
Festive fun is on the menu, from horse-drawn hayrides through the village to cookie decorating and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The festival is full of free events, concerts and caroling, food and fun, holiday shopping, and more.
On both days, festivities will include the annual Christmas Bazaar at the Grafton Chapel with food available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional vendors will also serve customers at the Grafton Elementary School.
Grafton Fire and Rescue will sell Christmas trees at Phelps Barn, and the Grafton Historical Society will sell wreaths and other festive items. The Nature Museum will offer arts and crafts projects for the whole family.
On Saturday, children will especially enjoy cookie decorating at MKT: Grafton, meeting Santa at the Grafton Public Library and, later, Christmas stories with Bill Toomey, also at the Library.
On Saturday night, the voices of Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble Seraphic Fire can be heard at 7 p.m. at the White Church. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance at seraphicfire.org.
Hayrides around town will depart every 30 minutes from the Grafton Inn on Sunday.
On Sunday afternoon, the Bellows Falls High School Wind Ensemble will perform.
The holiday weekend will be topped off with Santa Claus on hand at the Grafton Public Library for a tree-lighting ceremony, followed by refreshments and gathering at the Grafton Inn.
Start the day by picking up your Christmas in Grafton Passport from participating businesses that will offer discounts; see graftonvermont.org for a complete list, or stop by the Grafton Information Board in the Phelps Barn parking lot.
Passport holders can enter a chance to win a holiday basket packed with festive items contributed by local merchants. The winner will be announced at the Grafton Inn at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.