The City of Chelsea will be decked in holiday splendor to warm the hearts of visitors and to get the community in the Christmas spirit during Hometown Holiday weekend that takes place Friday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 7.
Thanks to a kind donation from The Garden Mill, the Chelsea Girl and Cub Scouts line Main Street with luminaries on both Friday and Saturday, creating a fairy land for walkers and drivers.
In addition, before, during and after the event, gifts are collected for local children in need through an annual toy drive, Toys for Tots and Teens. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Palmer Auto Service and Chelsea Kidz Stop on Main Street through Dec. 18. The donations are then distributed locally through Faith in Action.
The event activities kick off on Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., with a Tree Lighting Ceremony at the gazebo in Pierce Park.
Santa makes a special appearance when he arrives in the Chelsea Area Fire Authority ladder truck. After the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa heads to the Chelsea Historic Depot where he will spend the evening listening to special wishes from Chelsea’s children. The Chelsea Children’s Co-op Preschool sponsors free craft projects for the children and parents are encouraged to bring their camera.
Across from the Depot, Chelsea Farmer’s Supply welcomes the community for Christmas story-telling led by Chelsea District Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Also on Friday, Chelsea ATA Martial Arts offers children a chance to decorate sugar cookies from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at their studio located 420 North Main St, Suite 300. ATA Martial Arts instructors and students will be performing demonstrations throughout the event.
Stop by the Chelsea District Library from 7-8 p.m. and listen to the musical group, Common Chords, or visit a live Nativity Scene at the First United Methodist Church parking lot. An annual favorite, the nativity scene features live animals and local singers. Two living nativity scene shows are performed on Friday — one beginning at 7:30 p.m., and the second at 8 p.m.
For the full event calendar, please click here.
(Tomorrow, we’ll focus on the Saturday, Dec. 7, events. )
