Pemberville will be hosting its annual Christmas in the Village on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 27 and 28. Festivities are scheduled from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, and from 12 – 6 p.m. Sunday.
Pemberville’s eighth annual Lighted Christmas Parade will be the grand finale event, stepping-off Sunday at 6:30 pm. Following the parade will be the Village Christmas Tree Lighting at Mason Park with Santa & Mrs. Claus.
The town’s annual celebration will coincide with this year’s “National Shop Small” promotion. Patrons making purchases of $25 or more at participating Pemberville businesses from Nov. 26 – Dec. 15 will have a chance in the “Win The Window” promotion.
Pemberville’s historic Opera House will be the setting for this year’s Festival of Trees entitled “Christmas in the Village.” Each tree will be decorated highlighting a Pemberville place, organization and/or event. 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 to win season tickets (nine shows) for two at the Opera House.
Local resident Ed Wozniak has donated a handcrafted schoolhouse clock to be raffled as a fundraiser for the Pemberville-Freedom Area Historical Society. Wozniak has built 100 such clocks and has gifted all but two. The clock will be on display at the Bake Shoppe with raffle tickets available for sale. Raffle tickets may be purchased at Riverbank Antique Market or Beeker’s General Store for $5 each or five tickets for $20. The drawing will be held Sunday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.
The Historical Society will also host its annual Holiday “Bake 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 the younger crowd, Santa will be strolling through downtown Pemberville with Mrs. Claus at his side, greeting guests, posing for photos and listening to wishes. Pemberville Independent Merchant Association members have provided treats for Santa to give.
The Gathering Place (next to Beeker’s General Store) will feature a Holiday Café, selling hot soups, sandwiches, apple dumplings, hot chocolate (with all of the fixin’s) and more. The Gathering Place will also be hosting a Christmas Market. The Market will offer florist quality fresh greens, wreaths, poinsettias, botanicals, grave blankets/pillows, vintage Christmas décor and more. All florals/wreaths are by Downtown Deco Fine Floral Design, Pemberville.
The Pember-Furry House, the village’s oldest frame house located on East Front Street (just down the street from the Eisenhour car lot) will be decked out with festive Christmas decorations and will be open for free tours both days of the Christmas Open House. Hosts and hostesses will guide you through this historical home and be available to answer questions.
Pemberville’s One Room School (located behind the Pember-Furry House) 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.
Smells and sounds of the past will prevail both in the old smokehouse and blacksmith shop out back of the Pember-Furry House. The blacksmith shop will feature a variety of heirloom keepsakes. Those wishing to savor the flavor of the Historical Society’s 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 quaint shops will be open and offering a variety of “holiday specials” including Riverbank Antiques, Belle Fleur, Behind the Pines, Extra’s by Maams, Beeker’s Christmas Market and Country Cupboard Ohio.
Horse and carriage rides will be offered both days for a nominal fee. Rides will depart from the downtown area on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and again on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. To reserve a time slot call 419-287-3274.
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. Additional information/specific times may be obtained by calling 419-287-3274.
Prior to the parade (beginning at 5 p.m.) a backdrop of holiday favorites will be performed by musicians from Sonfire by the River in the center of the downtown area.
The Village Christmas Tree Lighting will be held at Mason Park (across the street from the Fire Department) immediately following the parade. Santa Claus will help light this year’s tree. Eastwood’s seventh and eighth grade instrumentalists will perform for the carol sing.
For more information regarding the events in Pemberville this weekend, call 419-287-3274.
