Gagetown preps for Christmas in the Village
Published Friday November 27th, 2009
The Village of Gagetown is ready to deck its proverbial halls.
Dozens of artists and artisans are hard at work, prepping for this weekend's Christmas in the Village celebration.
"We've hosted a number of major events this year, including Rage In The Gage and Vintage In The Village," said Gagetown Mayor Randy Smith.
"I'd like to welcome everyone to another unique village event."
For those who haven't made the seasonal trek, Christmas in the Village is one of the region's foremost arts-and-crafts events, and it's celebrating its 14th year.
Carver Richard Moore is an Ontario expatriate who now calls Gagetown home.
"I love the flavour of Christmas in the Village," said Moore.
"It's the village's premier event. An abnormal number of good artisans live here, but you don't realize just how many until Christmas in the Village rolls around."
Come Saturday, those artisans will be setting up shop in studios, historic houses, galleries, craft shops and landmark sites around the village.
"The whole village gets on board," said Barb Telford, co-ordinator of this year's event.
"Even the people who don't participate as vendors and hosts prepare and contribute. The chamber of commerce got involved this year, and that has injected new life, too."
Visitors to the village can park their cars, grab a map at any nearby venue and embark on some Christmas shopping.
They'll have their pick of jewelry, fine art, pottery, knitted and woven goods, wrought iron, woodworking, stained glass, photography and one-off creations that defy categorization.
There's a treasure hunt for the young at heart, with plenty of hand-crafted loot as the payoff.
And there's food.
The Creek View Restaurant, Old Boot Pub, the Gagetown Community Recreation Centre, Grace United Church, the Anglican Parish Hall, Legion Branch No. 71 and K & W Quality Meats will all be dishing up edibles.
The Gagetown Fruit Farm on Court House Road will be back for its second year.
Proprietors Heather Rhymes and Matthew Estabrooks will be offering light lunches, artisan bread, handcrafted chocolates and more.
Rhymes is a convert to Christmas in the Village, after a successful first year in 2008.
"It was amazing," said Rhymes. "The timing is perfect, and people came out in droves last year. Everyone was so positive that it was hard not to have a good time."
Rotary president Bill Jackson is hoping that some of that spirit comes Rotary's way.
Jackson and fellow Rotarian Sandy Phillips will be spending Saturday night in a shelter box tent.
Last year, Rotary made enough money at Christmas in the Village to send two shelter boxes to the Philippines and to earthquake victims in Italy.
A shelter box provides accommodation and survival equipment for up to 10 people.
"Shelter boxes serve an immediate need," said Jackson. "It's hard for us to imagine people in terrible situations. We welcome anyone who'd like to donate or just come by."
Finally, the Kitchen Party Jamboree at Gagetown School will be back for its second year.
The jubilee gets underway at 2 p.m. Sunday, and all good-will contributions will be donated to the Orchard View Long Term Care Van Fund.
Christmas in the Village runs this Saturday and Sunday in Gagetown from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.
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Lots of food, fun and great Country Folk
Enjoy