Dressed in a Grinch costume, Bruce Chase holds a chainsaw Saturday while acting in a video shoot during a holiday tree installation in Augusta. This year Augusta is marking the holidays with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”-themed events. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
AUGUSTA — Maine’s capital city is marking the holidays this year with 12 Days of Augusta Holiday events.
This year’s theme is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and the Grinch and his faithful dog Max will be featured in events all season long in person and in videos.
Augusta will hold its tree lighting at 5 p.m. Friday in Market Square.
The River of Trees, a fundraiser for the Augusta Downtown Alliance and the Colonial Theatre, kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday. Visitors will have the chance to win one of more than 40 trees decorated with gifts through a raffle. On Sunday, the option for a sensory safe tour will be available from 10 a.m. to noon, during which the lights and music will be dimmed. Admission is $2.
On Nov. 27, Santa and Ms. Claus will tour Augusta from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. accompanied by the Augusta Police and Fire departments on a route that starts at the Buker Community Center and loops throughout the city with stops at the city’s elementary schools. A fireworks show is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Mill Park.
The tour route will have a tracking option that can be accessed through the Augusta Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
On Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 18, the Grinch comes to the Buker Community Center, where children who have registered in advance will be able to make a Grinch thumbprint ornament or wooden Grinch magnet, while a guest reader will read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
On Saturday, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, a Who-breakfast will be held at the Augusta Civic Center, where the Grinch will preside over a Who-ville breakfast buffet, and children will go home with a surprise. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children.
On Dec. 18, “The Grinch” will be shown in Mill Park at 5 p.m., where people will be able to watch from their vehicles and grab dinner from a food truck.
Starting on Saturday and running through Dec. 12, Old Fort Western will celebrate the season with a series of events, including bonfires, carols and crafts for children. The gift shop will be open weekends through Dec. 19.
More information on the programs and registration for events at the Augusta Parks and Recreation Department, visit the Augusta Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page.
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