Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
The City of Andover is preparing to host the annual Hometown Christmas next Thursday. The celebrations and festivities happen outside at Central Park and inside of the Andover Public Library and City Hall.
The evening will kick-off with the arrival of Santa Claus and the city tree lighting ceremony. A variety of activities will be available afterwards including hay rack rides, photo opportunities, teen winter carnival, photos with Santa, letters to Santa, holiday crafts, s’mores with first responders, holiday giveaways with Coca Cola, warm beverages provided by Generational Church, live reindeer, soup tasting live music and more.
Leading up to Hometown Christmas, residents can also participate in contests for a chance to win cash prizes.
This week, the Residential Lighting contest and the Business/Window Display contests are happening.
Residents can decorate their homes in the best lighting display they can create and enter to win. Entries must be received by December 4 at noon with decoration complete. Judging will take place from December 5-10 with lights on from 6-9pm. First place will receive $300, second place will receive $200, and third place will receive $100. Winners will be announced at Hometown Christmas during the tree lighting ceremony.
Business owners can decorate their windows and store fronts in the jolliest spirit they can and enter to win. Entries must be received by December 4 at noon with décor and store front lights to be turned on from 12-5pm for judging. Judging will take place December 5-10. First place will receive $300, second place will receive $200, and third place will receive $100. Winners will be announced at Hometown Christmas during the tree lighting ceremony.
Next week, the Gingerbread House Making contest and Holiday Sweater contests are happening.
Residents can create their best gingerbread house and sent photos into City of Andover Public Information Officer Megan Schapaugh by December 8. Photos of each house will be posted on the Hometown Christmas Facebook page for followers to vote on. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top two most voted homes. Winners will be announced at Hometown Christmas during the tree lighting ceremony.
After creating a gingerbread house, put on a holiday sweater – homemade, store bought, ugly or not, and send it in to Schapaugh by December 8. Sweaters will be voted on in the Hometown Christmas Facebook page by followers on December 9. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best family/group, and best individual. Winners will be announced at Hometown Christmas during the tree lighting ceremony.
Each year during the Christmas event, residents are encouraged to donate canned goods and non-perishable foods or cash. Those collections will be given to the Andover Caring and Sharing nonprofit and the Andover Food Bank. Last year Caring and Sharing served 90 meals to families and gifts for more than 250 children. A contribution of $100 provides a meal and gifts for a family of four. Donations can be brought to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church located at 123 N Andover Rd.
All contest entries can be sent to Megan Schapaugh by email at mschapaugh@andoverks.gov. For more information on the event and contest entries, visit https://andoverks.com/925/Activities.
