Boalsburg Hometown Christmas Features Family Fun

Boalsburg Hometown Christmas, a weekend of family-oriented events, is scheduled for Friday (Dec. 2) and Saturday (Dec. 3).

On Friday, participants can drop off cookies for the event’s annual cookie contest from 2 to 5 p.m. at Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 W. Main St. Entries will be accepted from all ages. Rules for this year’s contest include the following:

■ Families and individuals are encouraged to create entries that inspire Christmas spirit.

■ An entry consists of 12 holiday cookies arranged attractively on a disposable plate.

■ The entrant will also attach two cookies, separately wrapped, for judging. Attach a tag with name and phone number or email address to the back of the two-cookie package.

■ First-, second- and third-prize winners will be announced at “Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus,” scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Boalsburg Fire Hall.

■ A new special award is planned for the “big cookie” winner. The same entry rules apply, except that a big cookie entry will measure at least 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches and an entry will contain only six cookies wrapped separately, plus one for judging with a tag on it.

On Saturday, during “Breakfast with Santa,” the cookies will be displayed and offered for sale. Later in the day, people may purchase cookies for $5 a plate at the Boalsburg Heritage Museum, as well as enjoy the Colonial decorations and the new exhibit, ‘Village Craftsmen: Boalsburg Artisans in the 1800s.’ There also will be a variety of children’s activities, including crafts with Santa’s elves, book sales and a sing-along, throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Terry Swanger and Chris Igo, Hometown Christmas committee members, are pleased with the arrangements for this year’s celebration.

“I think it will be exciting and fun for all,” said Igo, as she explained the events. “I have been taking part for about five years and Terry has got to have put in eight to 10 years now. We have about six other members on the committee and they are all so committed to creating a wonderful holiday experience.’

Entries in the event’s annual children’s drawing contest will be on display Saturday. Swanger, who is artist himself, said he was walking his dog a few years ago when someone stopped him and said,, “We need your help to judge the drawing contest.” He said he arranges now for three judges and doesn’t always have to be a judge himself.

“It’s really fun,” Swanger said. “Candace Smith, an art teacher at Mount Nittany Elementary, is very eager to connect kids to the community and this is a great way to do that. She will make sure the classes from K to grade 5 get the correct size papers and encourage the students to get their creative energies flowing.” Contest winners will receive Best of Boalsburg and Friends of Boalsburg gift packages.

Also on Saturday, visitors can enjoy a carriage ride from the Restless Winds Carriage Co. Darlington’s Mickey pulls the carriage that stops at the Diamond for boarding. Cost is $3 per person, and children younger than 5 are free. First National Bank of Boalsburg is the major sponsor of the carriage rides.

Saturdaycontinues to be a big day. Visitors can gather at the Diamond from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for caroling at the community tree, featuring hot chocolate from the Boalsburg Lions Club and, of course, the lighting of the tree. Santa will arrive with Mrs. Claus on a Company 3 fire truck, announcing the children’s drawing contest winners.

St. John’s United Church of Christ will feature a live Nativity scene from 5 to 7 p.m., and from 6 to 9 p.m. visitors can attend the Boalsburg Holiday Hop, a family-friendly dance at the Boalsburg Fire Hall, 113 Pine St.

Also, at 6 p.m., there will be candlelight tours of the Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel, and on Sunday, there will be tea at the mansion featuring characters in historic costumes.

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