Festivals of gingerbread, Christmas trees and lights for the holidays

Owen Dyer's stunning gingerbread replica of Jefferds' Tavern was one of the favorite entries in the professional category during last year's Festival of Gingerbread Houses at the York Public Library. Cake-makers of all ages are invited to try their hand at culinary architecture to be a part of this event, which is one of many celebrations of the season being held in conjunction with the annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 1
Courtesy photo

YORK - What could be more charming on a chilly December's night than the smell of gingerbread baking and the sight of while lights flickering in the windows and along the roadways of a New England village?

For fans of such bucolic scents and scenes, there is no need to go any farther than York Village on Saturday, Dec. 1, for the annual Festival of Lights. Presented by York Parks and Recreation Department and the Festival of Lights Committee, this daylong event includes crafts, open house celebrations, caroling and, of course, the illuminated Festival of Lights Parade along York Street, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

"The Festival of Lights is held annually on the first Saturday of December to give thanks to our community for making York the delightful place it is and to celebrate the warmth and tradition of the New England holiday season," Festival of Lights Committee Co-Chairs Robin Cogger and Sarah Francke noted in their announcement of this year's event.

Parade participants so far include Old York, York Parks and Recreation, York Hospital, the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year, local schools, churches, scouting organizations, public safety personnel and more. Applications for the parade are currently being accepted. Contact York Parks and Recreation at 363-1040 for more information.

After the parade, enjoy concerts by local musicians - including the young violinists of York Strings, the York Middle School Jazz Band and the York High School Chamber Singers - as well as church suppers, caroling groups, visits with Santa Claus and more.

During the day, there will be special events in and around the York Public Library, including the ever-popular Festival of Gingerbread Houses, sponsored annually by the library.

Last year, more than 40 gingerbread houses, landmarks and whimsical locations brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of people who visited the library's Children's Room. The Third Annual Festival of Gingerbread Houses will run from Dec. 1 to 11 as part of the Festival of Lights Celebration, and now is the time to start thinking about your gingerbread creation. Entries must be delivered to the library on Nov. 29 between noon and 5 p.m., and all York residents are welcome to participate. Entry categories are professional, adults, family with children 12 years old and up, family with children 11 years old and younger, adult/young adult organizations, children's organizations and, new this year, teens. No pre-registration is required.

"How wonderful it is to see all generations with so much imagination and creativity celebrating the holiday season with a touch of the past," Event Chair Julie Steedman said in an announcement of this year's festival. "The professionals have as much fun as families and young people, creating their own works of art."

She noted that participation in this event has very few requirements. All types of architectural structures, historic or imaginary, are eligible; however, the finished piece must be attached to a 12-by-16-inch base and all components except the base must be edible - even the glue!

The display opens to the public on Dec. 1 with presentation of awards at 11 a.m. The Festival of Gingerbread Houses will remain on display through Dec. 11.

The library will once again repeat last year's successful raffle of several donated gingerbread houses, and Bragdon Real Estate will again match the amount raised, all for the benefit of the York Food Pantry. Other York businesses or individuals are welcome to become matching donors as well. For more information, call 363-2818 or visit www.york.lib.me.us.

Other events at the library during the Festival of Lights include visits with Santa and special Book Nook sales, just to name a few.

And just down York Street a ways, Old York will once again host its Christmas Tea, featuring holiday desserts and tea at Jefferds' Tavern from noon until 4:30 p.m. for $6 per person. New this year, check out the "Recipes from the Christmas Tea" at www.oldyork.org.

Meanwhile, around the corner from the village center on Long Sands Road, the Moquin Family's Festival of Trees will spread holiday cheer while helping a very worthy cause.

"Our mission is to join the entire community together by providing a beautiful festival of decorated Christmas Trees for your viewing pleasure while giving back to our community, all at the same time," Janalee Moquin said in announcing the return of the event for its second year.

The Moquin Family's Festival of Trees is looking for support from the entire community in the form of donations of decorated artificial Christmas trees that will be raffled off at the end of the festival to benefit children in Maine's foster care system. Any business, school group, club, municipality, committee, organization, family or individual may participate in the festival and there is no charge to enter or to view the trees during the two-day event.

"While traditional Christmas decorations are always beautiful, you could also create your own masterpieces by creating a specific theme for your tree," Moquin noted, adding, "the possibilities are limitless!"

The Festival of Trees will be held at the St. Aspinquid Masonic Lodge with viewing of the trees during the Festival of Lights on Dec. 1 and continuing on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Throughout the event, visitors may purchase raffle tickets and place them in the boxes before each tree to attempt to win one of the decorated trees. Following the viewing at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, the winners will be chosen and called to collect their trees that evening.

Interested in decorating a tree for this special event? Call Moquin at 361-2116 or e-mail her at janaleemoquin8@yahoo.com with "Festival of Trees" in your subject line.

And while these festivals will come to a close on Dec. 2, the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce is continuing the celebration of the season with its Not-So-Normal Gala and Auction at the Red Barn at Outlook Farm in South Berwick from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 7.

According to the chamber's announcement of this event, "It's more than just an auction, it's more than just a dinner and it's not something you'll want to miss!"

The online auction begins Nov. 17, to be followed on Dec. 7 with a live auction, cash bar, funky music, themed attire and a variety of activities.