Holidays kick off in Chester with annual winter event
Toolbox
By STEPHEN SEITZ Herald Staff - Published: November 25, 2006
CHESTER — Just as an orchestra warms up an audience with a taste of the music to come, so does the town of Chester with its annual "Overture to Christmas."
Now in its 21st year, the event has grown to accommodate a number of holiday-themed events taking place locally.
"This event is both for the town and for visitors," said Bill Lundy, owner and operator of the Chester House bed and breakfast. "This year we have two families coming up. One of them came up for the overture last year, and this year they're bringing friends."
The event has been picked by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as one of its top winter events, and it starts on Dec. 1 with the judging of the Village Decorating Contest, in which Chester residents prepare homes and businesses for the holidays and send in a photo.
"We hold the celebration early to get people into the spirit," Lundy said.
Most of the events will be held on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, successive Saturdays. Ed Eagan, executive director of the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, said a number of local events that take place this time of year will be included under the Overture umbrella.
"We're bringing it all in," he said. "Just because we're not producing an event doesn't mean an event can't join in. There are eight Overture events we're not producing."
Some of these are the Chester Congregational Church Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 2, an organ recital at St. Luke's Episcopal Church that same day, and Green Mountain Railroad's Santa Express on Dec. 9 and 10.
Events on Dec. 2 include a contest for making the craziest Christmas hat, a gingerbread house contest, and events for children, including an original Christmas marionette show called "Christmas with the Animals."
But the event really gets under way at 2 p.m., when Santa's parade makes its way down Depot Street to the village green and back again.
"In the past, we always had Santa arrive on a snowmobile," Eagan said. "This year, it's a parade. We're not expecting 400 participants in the first year, but over time, we hope it'll get bigger."
Lundy said there was still time to join.
"We'd like to see a fire engine or an old vehicle," he said. "Of course, a lot of these things are weather dependent. What we'd like to see is just a little snow. If there's too much, then there's salt on the road and that might damage one of the older vehicles."
Santa lights the village tree at 4:30 p.m., and that's followed by a cookie reception and a chance for children to visit with Santa.
There also will be a raffle with four cash prizes, with a drawing to be held at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 apiece and can be found at various Chester businesses.
Events on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 include the Green Mountain Railroad Santa Express to Bellows Falls, the marionette show, a soup-tasting contest, community caroling, an ice skating party and a bonfire.
For more information on the parade, call 875-5023. Photos to be judged for the decorating contest should be e-mailed to info.ovrcc@tds.net by noon on Dec. 1.
A complete schedule of events can be found at okemovalleyvt.org.
Contact Stephen Seitz at stephen.seitz@rutlandherald.com.
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