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11/29/2003 Archived Entry: "DON'T MISS THE CHRISTMAS OPENING MONDAY AT 4:00 DOWNTOWN!"

DON'T MISS THE CHRISTMAS OPENING MONDAY AT 4:00 DOWNTOWN!

I always enjoy the evening of the Christmas opening in downtown Ellsworth. It's festive and reminiscent of the days when I walked with my grandmother, hand in hand, from her house by the river to down town Ellsworth...that would be 70 years ago.

There are things to see and do, food to munch on, stuff to buy from those trying to make money for their organizations, the EHS band to listen to...plus all the stores are open with everything new and different stocked for Christmas shopping. It's just a nice time to be downtown.

I think this is the plan...everything starts downtown at 4:00. The food booths open at 5:00 and the tree lighting is at 5:30 at the Hodgden House Museum. There may be caroling like last year during the lighting ceremony. The parade starts at the Museum at 6:00. I think the EHS band will be in the parade. At least I know a couple of trumpet players plan to be there. There will be carriage rides and photos of your kids with Santa will be available.

We don't have many occasions to gather downtown in the evening. Some towns have a night set aside when merchants stay open until 8:00 but that has never been very successful here...that is since the old days when Ellsworth was very much a Saturday night town. I guess if you don't continue trying, it won't ever work. But it's the merchants call from what they see at their cash registers and they put in very long hours as it is.

Last year the air was brisk and the mood festive. Everyone was having a good time. I intend to be there and would encourage you to spend some time wandering around downtown Monday evening. It's a nice thing to do. We need to do as much shopping at home as we possibly can.