The Kennebec Explorer 2014 Visitor's Guide to Maine's Kennebec Valley | Page 23

A jingle-jangle take on a New England Holiday Stroll Allow us to surprise you with a few presents that set our New England holidays apart. Fun ideas for a holiday escapade of your own. And if we are blessed with snow, all the better. Riverside villages like Gardiner, Hallowell and Skowhegan have long been a bastion of holiday celebration. Shops and galleries delight the senses. Restaurants are filled with revelery and song late into the night. Good cheer all around. Here is but a sampling. But look under the tree — you’ll find more to do than you know, so stay into the night and see the magical things that can happen. Gardiner and the Who-ville Parade Holiday parades are a delight, but what about the world’s only Holiday Who-ville Parade? This clever turn on Dr. Suess’ classic tale invites all comers to arrive dressed as their favorite Who? So who are you are coming as this year? Christmas in Old Hallowell Typically celebrated at the end of the first full week of December, Christmas in Old Hallowell seems to go on for days. With a craft fair to beat all and a Christmas parade concluding with fireworks over the Kennebec River. Merry Christmas, indeed. Stroll over to Belgrade Look to the lakes of Belgrade around the holidays for a little more than you might have expected; this truly charming stretch knows how to put on the holiday show during their annual stroll. A Festival of Trees Helps Hinckley Sparkle Each year the Goodwill-Hinckley school sets out the trees… lots of them. For a little more than twenty years now, stately Prescott Hall has been decked out in full holiday regalia during the second full week of December for all to enjoy. The locale also hosts events during the week. And it’s free. And what about the Big Guy? Up the Kennebec River apiece, at the center of the enchanting city of Waterville lies a land plucked from beyond the arctic circle. Kringleville has arrived every year (but one) at the center of Castonguay Square since 1969. It all begins in the days following Thanksgiving with the Festival of Lights parade through downtown and concludes in Kringleville where the party runs through to the days just before Christmas. We’d love to see you this year. The thousands of kids who wait for their chance to chat with Santa each year can’t be wrong. There’s a reason we call it the Pine Tree State. As you prepare to head home from your Kennebec Valley Christmas adventure, take time to find and visit one of the many local tree farms and cut yourself one of Maine’s finest fir or pine trees; snow permitting, you might also enjoy the bliss of a winter wonderland sleigh ride to round out your journey. Your home will smell truly delightful all season long. For more information about spending the Holidays in the region, visit KennebecValley.org. 21