‘Christmas in Middletown’ event brings community together Dec. 8
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The annual “Christmas in Middletown” event will take place this year on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Sponsored by the Middletown Area Merchants Association, this free event lets friends and families celebrate the season together along with local businesses and organizations, filling the streets of Middletown with cheer, rain or shine.
Nonprofit organizations set up booths with goodies, crafts, and gift-wrapping services on the streets throughout town, to raise funds for their good works.
The town looks festive with decorated merchant storefronts and business-sponsored Christmas trees that are decorated by area schoolchildren. The trees are later donated to local families in need through Spirit of the Season.
Individual businesses compete for “best decorated” storefront, and they pass out their own refreshments to passersby.
In the free “Passport for Fun” program, participants visit member businesses and collect passport stamps for a chance to win a prize.
This year, the nine prizes include two firepits donated by Hardester’s Markets and $25 gift certificates from participating area businesses.
The brand new bands of the Middletown Middle and High School will give a performance starting at 5 p.m. on the steps of the Library in conjunction with a “Celebrate a Life” service conducted by Hospice Services of Lake County (rain cancels the band performance).
Santa Claus arrives at 5:30 p.m. at the Middletown Square Park on an old-fashioned fire truck. Afterward, he meets children from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Mrs. Claus gives each a stuffed animal, courtesy of Hospice Services.
Nearby is a free hot chocolate bar and craft table for kids, donated and run by the Middletown Seventh-Day Adventist School.
Besides local restaurants, street food will be available for dinner from Goddess of the Mountain, A Passion for Food, and Smoked Out BBQ.
It’s a perfect small-town event! Find out more at the Middletown Area Merchants Association Web site at www.middletownareamerchants.com.