Andover NY is well known to be one of Santa Claus' favorite stopping places. This is likely due to the vast majority of our children being on the good list and the excellent cookies we leave out. We really do have some excellent cookie bakers in this town.*
You may think this article is coming too soon, but Christmas season begins November 1st with a brief Thanksgiving intermission before continuing on with more Christmas season through January 1st.** The long awaited snow has started falling so it's officially time to get festive. Even with that said, Andover has decided to officially kick off their holiday season a touch later, and some might argue more appropriately, on December 3rd. There are several holiday events planned to get the season started.
This year Santa is making his first official Andover appearance at the Andover Main Street Park on Saturday December 3rd at 6pm at the Christmas tree lighting. Although it was rumored that Santa was spotted on Halloween night out trick or treating. I guess the jolly man really doesn't know how to stay in his lane or season. Santa is bringing his lovely lady Mrs. Claus to town as well. The Christmas tree lighting will begin at 6:30. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Children can write letters to Santa in advance to share with Santa or drop off in the North Pole letter box.
Local Main Street businesses will be hosting open houses on December 3rd beginning at 10am with door prizes and other goodies. These businesses presently include Hair-It-Is, Gaylords Guns & Ammo, The Emporium, Classy Curves Boutique, and Walker Metalsmiths. There will also be a holiday market from 3-7pm at 36 Main Street aka Photos by Amber Niedermaier. This is a great opportunity to do some of your holiday shopping locally.
There are many other upcoming holiday events to put on your calender as well. The Andover Fire Department Ladies Auxilary and the Andover 4th of July Committee are encouraging folks to join the annual Light Up Andover competition. Judging will take place on December 16th with prizes awarded on the 17th.
The Andover Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a Christmas Tree decorating contest. Trees will go up on November 21st and decorating should be completed by December 3rd. If you're interested in participating you can fill out the form here. Trees are provided by local luxury purveyor of trees Kent Farms. The fee to adopt a tree and enter is $35.
Speaking of Kent Farms, they prescribe to the notion that you shouldn't put your tree up before Thanksgiving, but the day after Thanksgiving is fair game. After you finish your black Friday shopping and polish off some leftovers you can stop over and get your Christmas tree on Friday November 25th. Wreaths will be available starting November 21st and can be ordered to ship all over the US. We all know that Kathy and her crew of clever elves make some of the best wreaths in the nation.***
Christmas is the season of giving and that is true here in Andover as well. Many local organizations and private citizens are providing meals and assistance with gifts as usual. If you'd like to contribute to the local giving you can contact the Andover Lions club about toys for tots on their Facebook messages or stop in at Hair-It-Is or the Baptist ladies clothing closet. There is also still time to get your gnome paintings from Rogan Perkins to assist with his toy donation as well. Hop on his mom's Facebook page to see what is still available. As for private giving get in touch with Police Chief Rumfelt or Bob Meyers. If you are in need this holiday season or know someone else in need please let those same folks know.
If you have any other Andover based holiday events you'd like posted please let us know so we can help spread the holiday magic.
*Mine are store bought, but I feel like Santa doesn't judge.
**In my opinion. Don't harsh my holiday mellow.
***Again, my opinion, but it's the correct opinion so...fight me.
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