(Submitted by Village of Pemberville)
The charm of “Small Town America” will prevail as Pemberville hosts its annual Christmas in the Village on Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1. Festivities are scheduled from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday and from 12 – 6 p.m. Sunday.
Pemberville’s seventh annual Lighted Christmas Parade will be the grand finale event, stepping off Sunday night at 6:30. Following the parade will be the Village Christmas Tree Lighting at Mason Park with Santa & Mrs. Claus.
Pemberville’s annual celebration will coincide with this year’s “National Shop Small” Promotion. Pemberville has an array of small businesses that exemplify this endeavor of buying local. Patrons making purchases of $25 or more at participating Pemberville businesses from Nov. 17 – Dec. 15 will have a chance at winning the “Win The Window” promotion.
Pemberville’s historic Opera House will be the setting for this year’s Festival of Trees titled “Making Seasons Bright.” This year’s theme will be depicted by 14 decorators, with each tree showcasing decorations inspired by this vibrant color theme.
Again this year, there will be a display of tablescapes decorated for the season, following the same theme.
Local musicians, including vocalist, Maggie Titus, will be performing classic holiday selections. Admission is $5 per person (children are free with paid adult admission) with proceeds benefiting the Pemberville-Freedom Area Historical Society.
Tickets for this annual fundraiser are available at the door and include complimentary refreshments, the chance to “vote” for your favorite tree and be entered in the grand prize drawing for a $100 Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland Gift Certificate (Frankenmuth, Michigan).
The Historical Society will also host its annual Holiday “Sweet Shoppe” in the Town Hall featuring a variety of homemade baked goods including cookies, pies, sweet breads, candies, jams/jellies and more. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s continued restoration/maintenance efforts.
For our youngest friends, Santa will be strolling through Downtown Pemberville with Mrs. Claus at his side, greeting guests, posing for photos and listening to wishes.
A Scholastic Book Fair will be set-up at the Henline Building for guests to continue their holiday shopping. Everyday and seasonal book selections will be available for preschool through teen audiences.
Our Place II, downtown (next to Beeker’s General Store) will feature a Holiday Café, selling hot soups, made to order sandwiches, apple dumplings, and hot chocolate (with all of the fixins) with proceeds to benefit the Pemberville-Freedom Area Historical Society. Also at the café, Beeker’s General Store will have a tasting table to sample its array of Amish-made jarred fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies and sauces. Additionally at this location, Bowling Green youth, Evie Van Vorhis will delight patrons with holiday carols beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The village’s oldest frame house will be decked out with festive Christmas decorations. “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” and will be open for free tours both days. Hosts and hostesses will guide you through this historical home and be available to answer questions. The old pump organ will fill the house with the sounds of the holiday on Saturday with special performances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Pemberville’s One Room School will be decorated with festive accents and be open for free tours as well. All are invited to gather and “warm up” around the large pot belly stove.
Sweet smells and sounds of the past will prevail both in the old smokehouse and blacksmith shop out back. Guests will enjoy the blacksmith shop featuring a variety of heirloom keepsakes. Those wishing to savor the flavor of the Historical Society’s ever famous Frobose Meats smoked sausage will be able to do so, with sausage on a stick being offered for a nominal fee throughout both days.
A variety of holiday carols will be heard in the downtown area. Poppin’ George’s Kettle Corn will be featured at Beeker’s Store. Pemberville’s eateries and quaint shops will be open and offering a variety of “holiday specials” both days (open before and after the parade.)
Beeker’s General Store and Riverbank Antique Market will be hosting their Holiday Open House featuring a variety of vintage Christmas collectibles and keepsakes.
Complimentary horse and carriage rides will be offered both days thanks to the Pemberville Free Fair, Pemberville Independent Merchants Association, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 183 and Otterbein Pemberville. Rides will depart from the downtown area near Riverbank Antiques on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and again on Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
New this year will be a free nativity display “Follow the Star…Christmas Creche Exhibit” will be indoors at the former Pemberville Pharmacy downtown. A vast array of vintage and modern nativity displays will be displayed for guests viewing pleasure on both Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday’s Lighted Parade will step off at 6:30 p.m. beginning at the Pemberville Public Library (registration headquarters) and ending at Pemberville’s Town Hall.
Pemberville’s East Front Street will serve as the parade route with the viewing stand being located in the heart of the downtown area. Lighted floats, vehicles, bands, marching units and more will all be a part of this year’s parade.
Following the parade, a backdrop of holiday favorites will be performed by musicians from Sonfire by the River prior to this year’s Village Christmas Tree Lighting at Mason Park.
Santa Claus will help light this year’s tree. Eastwood’s sixth grade instrumentalists will perform for the carol sing.
Village outdoor décor and plantings (to get us all in the holiday spirit) are provided by Northwest Ohio attraction, North Branch Nursery.
