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FARMINGTON — This year marks the 40th celebration of Chester Greenwood Day. On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce presents the celebration of the Farmington native and earmuff inventor, Chester Greenwood.
“Holiday Celebrations Around the World” is the theme for this year’s event, so join the celebration and don’t forget to
include earmuffs on your float! This year sees the return of many favorite events, including the annual parade, chili and
gingerbread house contests, historical open houses, craft fairs and polar bear dip.
The Taste of Farmington is a new event this year. Present your Taste of Farmington Passport from noon to 3 p.m. to
participating eateries and enjoy a sample of what they have to offer. Participating restaurants are Dunkin’ Donuts, Thai
Smile & Sushi Restaurant, Tucks Ale House, The Homestead, The Roost, El Toro Food Truck, The Granary and Farmington
House of Pizza.
Buy your passport now for only $5. Passports are limited! Once you have visited the restaurants you can drop your
passport off at the Rotary Festival of Trees to be entered in a drawing for Chamber Bucks.
Registration forms for the parade, chili contest and gingerbread house contest are available at the chamber office or
www.franklincountymaine.org.
Chester Greenwood Day 40th Celebration long-sleeve T-shirts, the Taste of Farmington passports and schedule of events
are available now at the chamber office at 615 Wilton Road or at the chamber’s information booth at the Pierce House on
Chester Greenwood Day.
Strut for Strays 5K Run and Dog Walk Race
Begins at 8 a.m., $20 registration fee, T-shirt for first 50 registrants. Awesome prizes for those who register from
Longfellow’s Restaurant, Hannaford, Minikins, Shelly’s Hometown Market or Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers, and a
grand prize drawing for one free night’s lodging and breakfast at the Comfort Inn Wilton. Register online at
www.fcanimalshelter.org
Chester Greenwood Day 5K Run/Walk
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the large field adjacent to Prescott Field. Start time is at 9 a.m., and the trail is the
perimeter of the field. Cost is $10. Proceeds go to the Maine Brain Aneurysm Awareness. Fore more information, email
MaureenMcCool1@gmail.com or call 778-0801.
Cookie Walk and White Elephant Sale
From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, 110 Academy St. Purchase a hand-decorated coffee can
and fill it up with a variety of homemade cookies. Check out lightly used Christmas decorations and other items for sale at
the White Elephant Sale.
Coats for Kids
Drop off gently used coats at Franklin Savings Bank and Bangor Savings Bank and they’ll have it cleaned for another child
to use beginning on Chester Greenwood Day and running through December.
Coat & Cupboard
Coat & Cupboard open house will offer a large selection of free gently used coats, sweaters, hats, mittens and blankets
from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 and again from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. A project of Old South church’s youth group,
Coat & Cupboard is located in the rear of the Holman Mission House, 227 Main St. We also welcome your donations of
clean, warm outerwear!
Crafts
Franklin County Arts & Crafts Association annual craft fair will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Maine at
Farmington Student Center. Find the perfect locally made gift from a huge assortment of arts, crafts and more.
The Emblem Club No. 460’s craft fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmington Elks Lodge. A great collection of
vendors and items.
Kids Make-a-Craft
Relay for Life will have a make-a-craft table in front of Franklin Savings Bank from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids can make crafts
for $1. Relay bangle charm bracelets will be for sale for $25 with a new charm for 2017. A kids-only shopping area with
items for children to purchase for their families as gifts for the holidays will be located at 133 Broadway St.
Hot Cocoa Bar and Sand Art for Kids
From 9 a.m. to noon, enjoy hot cocoa and make sand art crafts at Bangor Savings Bank
Parade
At 10 a.m. the parade will begin lining up at the Quebec Street entrance at Mallet School. Free! Preregistration is
encouraged, but not required. The theme is “Holiday Celebrations Around the World.” Don’t forget to incorporate earmuffs
onto each float; it’s required!
Cash prizes for first-, second-, and third-place adult floats and first and second youth floats. Parade winners will be posted
at the chili challenge in the Gazebo at Meetinghouse Park.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. through rain, snow or shine. Judging of floats will be conducted en route this year, so the
crowd can plan to find a panel of local judges stationed outside the Franklin Savings Bank Loan Center on Main Street.
Please note candy throwing will be permitted by individuals walking along the parade route only, not from the floats
themselves, for safety reasons.
Forms and event rules are posted online at www.franklincountymaine.org. Free and open to the public.
A flag-raising ceremony will take place at the Franklin County Courthouse after the parade raising the Chester Greenwood
flag.
Chester Greenwood celebration cake will be served after the parade at Bangor Savings Bank.
Open Houses
The Titcomb House at the corner of Academy and High Streets will be open free of charge to the public from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. Members of the Historical Society will be present to give tours and will be selling fresh, decorated wreaths. Mt. Blue
Area Garden Club will do the festive decorations.
The Octagon House at the corner of Perham and Broadway will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and filled with music by
Leanne Tinker. There will be vintage toys and trains for viewing. Book signing by author Guy Rioux, “The Franklin County
Narrow Gauges: The Next Stop is Kingfield.” A raffle will be held for floral arrangements from Riverside Greenhouse,
Richards Florist and Robins Flower Pot. Freshly decorated wreaths for sale. A $5 donation is requested.
The Pierce House will have memorabilia pertaining to the Greenwoods on display celebrating its connection to the
Greenwood Family from 1 to 3 p.m. Cookie decorating and old fashioned refreshments will be available.
Rotary’s Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees will be held from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Granary Restaurant on Front Street with musical
entertainment starting at 1 p.m. and continuing throughout the day. The raffle tree will be raffled at 6 p.m. The live
auction will start at 6:30 p.m. with cash bar and refreshments. Remember it all goes to community charities. All are
welcome to attend.
Gingerbread House Contest
Entries for the ninth annual gingerbread house contest may be dropped off at Bangor Savings Bank on Main Street
between 8:30 and 9 a.m. The gingerbread houses will be on display for public viewing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entries will
be reviewed by a panel of judges and prizes awarded for kids (12 and under) and adult categories. This year’s theme
is “Holiday Celebrations Around the World” so find a way to tie it in! Preregistration required. Forms available online. Free
and open to the public.
Luncheon
Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, 110 Academy St., will serve lunch at 11:30 a.m.
“A Christmas Story”
Narrow Gauge Cinemas will have a showing of the classic Christmas movie at noon.
Chili Challenge
The challenge will begin at noon at the Gazebo in Meetinghouse Park. Preregister by contacting the chamber. Traveling
trophy and Chamber Bucks awarded! Drop off your entry between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. Come and vote for your favorite!
Free and open to the public.
Polar Bear Dip
The dip will be at the breakwater on Clearwater Lake, Industry, at 3 p.m.. Members take an annual dip into the frigid
water — always a crowd pleaser! Dip if you dare!
Santa Claus
Santa will visit on the Franklin Savings Bank lawn, 198 Front St. from 3 to 5 p.m. Santa will be listening to wishes from his
sleigh. Be sure to bring your camera!
Itty Bitty Tree Lighting
At 5 p.m. the tree will be spring to light with hot chocolate and popcorn at 198 Front St. Sponsored by Franklin Savings
Bank and Western Mountain Financial Services. A new living tree has replaced the previous cut tree, so though it’s not
very big, we are confident it will grow magnificently into its new role to light up our holidays for many years to come.
