21st Anniversary Overture to Christmas - 2006
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Join us as we usher in the Holiday
Season in Chester, Vermont! The Overture to Christmas has won two
distinctive Vermont Chamber of Commerce awards. It was voted one of
the 10 Best Winter Events in Vermont in 1997, and
voted one of
Mom’s Top 50 Picks For Children for the 2004/2005 Winter Season. Our
holiday tradition continues with traditional and fun activities for
everyone. Join us for the
21st year of
celebration! Traditionally, the event is held the
first two weekends in
December and features gingerbread houses, holiday performances, tree
lightings, carolers, treats, and, of course, Santa!
For More Information: Contact One of Our Innkeepers |
Christmas Overture, 2006: Schedule of Activities and Events
| Date | Time | Activity | Location |
| Fri. 12/1 | Noon | Village Decorating Contest entries close. Judging begins. | All over town |
| Sat. 12/2 | 10:00 AM | Village Decorating Contest results announced and ribbons awarded. | Gazebo on the Green |
| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Wreath-Making (for adults) | Newsbank | |
| 11:00 AM | Gingerbread House Contest Judging. Winners announced and ribbons awarded. | Fullerton Inn | |
| 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Christmas Tea and Craft Sale | St. Luke's Episcopal Church | |
| Noon - 2:00 PM | Christmas Story-Reading to children | Whiting Library (enter front door) | |
| Noon - 2:00 PM | Ornament Making (for children) | Newsbank | |
| Noon - 6:00 PM | Gingerbread Houses on Display | Fullerton Inn Conference Room | |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Christmas Sing-Along | Fullerton Inn, by the Hearth | |
| 2:00-5:00 PM | Cocoa available | Gazebo on the Green | |
| 2:00 - 2:45 PM | Santa's Parade of horse-drawn wagons, antique fire trucks and vehicles (pre-1970) | Depot & Main Sts. | |
| ~2:15 PM | Parade arrives at the Village Green. (Santa arrives ~2:45 PM.) | Village Green | |
| 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM | Christmas Sing-Along | Fullerton Inn, by the Hearth | |
| 2:45 PM - 4:30 PM | Ornament Making (for children) | Newsbank | |
| 3:00 - 4:30 PM | Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus & Cookie Reception (continues at 4:45 PM) | Newsbank | |
| 3:00 PM | Crazy Christmas Hat Contest winners announced and ribbons awarded. | Fullerton Inn Porch | |
| 3:00 PM | Marionette Show: Christmas with the Animals (½-hour) | Whiting Library (enter side door) | |
| 4:00 PM | Marionette Show: Christmas with the Animals (½-hour) | Whiting Library (enter side door) | |
| 4:00 PM - ? | Winter Luminaries lit on the Village Green | Village Green | |
| 4:30 PM | TOWN CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING FESTIVITIES with Santa & Mrs. Claus | Village Green | |
| 4:45 - 6:00 PM | Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus & Cookie Reception (continued) | Newsbank | |
| 7:00 PM | Springfield Chorus Holiday Concert | Baptist Church | |
| Sun. 12/3 | Noon - 6:00 PM | Gingerbread Houses on Display | Fullerton Inn Conference Room |
| Sat. 12/9 | 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Santa Express (Bellows Falls to Chester and back to Bellows Falls at 1:00 PM)* | Green Mountain RR |
| Noon | Senior Christmas Dinner | Chester-Andover Elementary School | |
| 12:30 PM | Marionette Show: Christmas with the Animals (½-hour) | Whiting Library (enter side door) | |
| 1:00 PM | Drawing of the winners of the Overture to Christmas Raffle. $1,000 in prizes. | Chester-Andover Elementary School | |
| 1:30 PM | Marionette Show: Christmas with the Animals (½-hour) | Whiting Library (enter side door) | |
| 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Santa Express (Bellows Falls to Chester and back to Bellows Falls at 4:00 PM)* | Green Mountain RR | |
| 2:00 - 3:30 PM | Soup-Tasting Contest. Winners announced and ribbons awarded at 3:15 PM | TBD | |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Community Caroling | Village Green | |
| 4:00 PM - ? | Winter Luminaries lit on the Village Green | Village Green | |
| 5:00 PM | Caroler Reception | Fullerton Inn | |
| 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Ice Skating Party & Bonfire | Cobliegh St. Pond | |
| 7:00 PM | Drama Guild's Variety Show | Town Hall Theater | |
| Sun. 12/10 | 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Santa Express (Bellows Falls to Chester and back to Bellows Falls at 1:00 PM)* | Green Mountain RR |
| 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Santa Express (Bellows Falls to Chester and back to Bellows Falls at 4:00 PM)* | Green Mountain RR |
* Reservations required for the Santa Express. Call Green Mountain Railroad at 800-707-3530 or 802 463-3069. Fare: adults $20; children (3-12 yrs.) $16; children 2 yrs. and under $4.