WATERVILLE — Joy to the Ville is scheduled to return from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27.
Waterville Creates, together with the Maine Film Center, Waterville Public Library, Colby College Museum of Art, Children’s Discovery Museum and downtown businesses, collaborated to bring this afternoon of free family friendly holiday activities back for the fourth year in Waterville.
“From the first time we did this free community program and 150 people came to make snow globes, we knew we had a hit on our hands,” said Serena Sanborn, education and outreach manager at Waterville Creates, according to a news release from that organization. “Waterville is ready again for holiday art and community programming.”
The scheduled events for Joy to the Ville 2021 are as follows:
• 1 p.m. – A free showing of the film “Scrooged” at Railroad Square Cinema, 17 Railroad Square, offered by the Maine Film Center.
• 2 p.m. – Free Holiday Green Screen Photos in Castonguay Square, 93 Main St. (weather permitting), offered by Waterville Creates.
• 2-5 p.m. – Free needle-felted snowflake kits for teens and adults available at Madlyn’s, 42 Main St., offered by the Waterville Public Library while supplies last.
• 2-5 p.m. – Free Create-It Kits with a pine tree art project inspired by the painting “Blue Pines” by David Driskell, available at Day’s Jewelers, 80 Main St., and Selah Tea Café, 177 Main St., offered by the Colby College Museum of Art while supplies last.
• 3 p.m. – Holiday-themed story time at the Children’s Book Cellar, 52 Main St., offered by the Waterville Public Library. Free children’s winter gift bags with a coloring book, penguin toy, button, and bookmark will be available while supplies last.
• 4 p.m. – Luminary lighting on Main Street, coordinated by Waterville Creates.
• 4:30 p.m. – Luminary lighting in Castonguay Square, coordinated by Waterville Creates.
• 5 p.m. – Santa comes to Waterville, coordinated by The Children’s Discovery Museum. Pulled by horses from S & S Carriage Rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus will travel down Main Street on their way to Castonguay Square, where they will light the Christmas tree and kick off the holiday season. Then they will continue across the bridge to Winslow Town Office, 114 Benton Ave., to light the gazebo.
In addition to Joy to the Ville, Nov. 27 is “Small Business Saturday,” and many local businesses will offer special promotions that day. The Festival of Trees, presented by the Alfond Youth & Community Center and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, will take place that day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Elm, 21 College Ave., and participants in the Children’s Discovery Museum’s Light Up the Town will have their light displays ready for the public to see by Nov. 27.
“I think this year our community is ready for some joy as we add some light to the dark winter season,” said Sanborn. “While the offerings are paired down a bit this year, we brought back some of our most popular events, and other organizations are continuing their holiday events. It should be a fun day.”
To further spread holiday cheer, Waterville Creates will also distribute “Art Kits for All: Luminary Kits” on Dec. 15 to all Waterville public school students ages 5 to 18.
MaineGeneral Health and the City of Waterville sponsoring of Joy to the Ville.
For more information, visit watervillecreates.org.
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