Harvard’s town center will be a hive of holiday activities this weekend. The Congregational Church, Fivesparks, and the General Store have all geared up to celebrate December Fest on Saturday. And Sunday brings the annual Ecumenical Christmas Pageant and traditional celebrations on the Common.
The Congregational Church will start off its Christmas Fair Friday evening, Dec. 13, with a preview party for the Festival of Trees and Wreaths from 6 to 8 p.m. Decorated trees and wreaths will be on display, each with a special theme. The trees—usually 2 to 4 feet tall—will be lighted, creating a magical atmosphere in the early evening dark of the sanctuary. Some past themes for decorations have included an earring tree, a Lego tree, and a golf tree. Other trees have been based on Disney characters or on children’s books like “Blueberries for Sal.” Visitors will be able to purchase chances to win a tree or wreath, with the drawing to be done at the church on Saturday.
Santa arrives in style in a previous year. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Santa will arrive by fire engine
The festivities planned for Saturday, Dec. 14, start around 10 a.m. when Santa Claus arrives by fire engine, along with his crew of elves. Santa will preside at his cafe in the Congregational Church, where children can sit on his lap and confidentially inform him of their Christmas wishes. The elves will take note of each child’s list for future reference. Also available at Santa’s Cafe are snacks, sandwiches, and baked goods.
At the Crafts Fair in the church, shoppers can choose from an array of handmade items by area crafters. A large supply of plain gingerbread houses will also be available for kids (and kids at heart) to decorate and take home. And the Unique Boutique, located on the first floor, will also be open during fair hours.
As in the past, there is a special children’s shopping room (no grownups allowed!), where youngsters can purchase gifts to surprise their parents or other special adults. All items are still priced at $1.
When the Christmas Fair comes to a close around 2 p.m., there will be a drawing to determine who has won each of the trees and wreaths that were on view the night before. Winners who are not present will be informed of their prize by phone.
Also on Saturday, just across the Common, shoppers will find more unique items for holiday gifts at Fivesparks’ yearly Holiday Artisan Fair, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than two dozen artisans will be displaying a wide range of handcrafted wares for sale—silk scarves, candles, pottery, quilts, pillows, ornaments, jewelry, stained glass, alpaca wool products, and more.
And, of course, the artwork in the current exhibit at Fivesparks is also available for purchase. The exhibit is “Destination: Nature 2024,” and works in the juried art show highlight the beauty of the Nashua River and its surrounding landscape.
The General Store has also added “tons of Christmas gifts,” according to proprietor Scott Hayward. Shoppers will find fragrant soaps and candles, beautifully grained wood serving boards, stuffed animals, hand-knitted mittens and caps, and much more. The General also has a stock of new wines, beers, and spirits. And its menu for the season features holiday coffee drinks such as peppermint mocha and rosemary molasses latte.
For the first time, the General also offers pies and tarts by special order, made by Harvard resident Eileen Kronauer, author of the cookbook “Apple of Your Pie.” Orders for her apple pies and several other varieties can be placed on the General’s website.
Music, song, and lights
Holiday celebrations will continue Sunday, Dec. 15, with the annual Ecumenical Christmas Pageant, which has been performed by children in Harvard since 1961. Besides the dozens of children who take part, more than 50 adult volunteers work on the production. Flutes, trumpets, organ, and harpsichord provide music for the spectacle.
There will be two performances, at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., in the Unitarian Universalist Church sanctuary. After the second performance, everyone can walk down the hill to see the lighting of the town Christmas tree and sing carols, followed by cookies and cocoa at the Congregational Church.
