Christmas in the Village events set for Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Pemberville

        They’re decking the halls with all that’s jolly as Pemberville prepares for its annual Christmas in the Village Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
        Festivities are scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon–6 p.m. Sunday.
        Santa will be strolling through Downtown Pemberville with Mrs. Claus at his side, greeting guests, posing for photos and listening to wishes. A Scholastic Book Fair will be set-up at the Henline Building for guests to continue their holiday shopping. Everyday and seasonal book selections will be available for preschool through teen audiences.
        Our Place II, located next to Beeker’s General Store, will feature a Holiday Café, featuring hot soups, made-to-order sandwiches, apple dumplings, and hot chocolate, with proceeds benefiting the Pemberville-Freedom Area Historical Society. Also at the café, Beeker’s General Store will have a tasting table where patrons can sample a large array of Amish-made jarred fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies and sauces. On Sunday at 5:30 p.m., singer Evie Van Vorhis, of Bowling Green, will entertain with holiday carols.
        Decked out with festive Christmas decorations depicting “An Old-Fashioned Christmas, the Pember-Furry House – the village’s oldest frame house – will be open for free tours both days. Hosts and hostesses will guide visitors through this historical home. The old pump organ will fill the house with the sounds of the holiday on Saturday with special performances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
        Pemberville’s One Room School will also be decorated with festive accents and be open for free tours as well.
        Sweet smells and sounds of the past will prevail both in the old smokehouse and blacksmith shop out back. Guests will enjoy the blacksmith shop featuring a variety of heirloom keepsakes.  Those wishing to savor the flavor of the Historical Society’s ever-famous Frobose Meats smoked sausage will be able to do so, with sausage on a stick being offered for a nominal fee throughout both days.
        Throughout the weekend, a variety of holiday carols will fill the air in the downtown area. Pemberville’s eateries and shops will be open and offering a variety of holiday specials both days.
        Beeker’s General Store and Riverbank Antique Market will be hosting their Holiday Open House featuring a variety of vintage Christmas collectibles and keepsakes.
        Complimentary horse and carriage rides will be offered both days thanks to the Pemberville Free Fair, Pemberville Independent Merchants Association (PIMA), American Legion Auxiliary Unit 183 and Otterbein Portage Valley. Rides will depart from the downtown area near Riverbank Antiques on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and again on Sunday from 1-5 p.m.       
        New this year, a free nativity display, “Follow the Star…Christmas Creche Exhibit” will be held indoors at the former Pemberville Pharmacy downtown. A vast array of vintage and modern nativity displays will be displayed Saturday and Sunday.
        Festival of Trees
        Pemberville’s historic Opera House will be the setting for this year’s Festival of Trees. Fourteen decorators will showcase their creativity, adorning trees with decorations inspired by this year’s theme, “Making Seasons Bright.”
        Again this year, there will be a display of tablescapes decorated for the season, following the same theme. Local musicians, including vocalist Maggie Titus, will be performing classic holiday selections. Admission is $5 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Pemberville-Freedom Area Historical Society. Children are admitted free with paid adult admission. Tickets are available at the door and include complimentary refreshments, the chance to “vote” for a favorite tree and to be entered in the grand prize drawing for a $100 gift certificate to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
        The Historical Society will also host its annual Holiday Sweet Shoppe in the Town Hall, featuring a variety of homemade baked goods including cookies, pies, sweet breads, candies, jams/jellies and more. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s continued restoration/maintenance efforts.
        Lighted parade
        The celebration will wrap up with Pemberville’s seventh annual Lighted Christmas Parade, stepping off Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Pemberville Public Library (registration headquarters) and ending at Pemberville’s Town Hall. The parade will travel along East Front Street, with the viewing stand located in the heart of the downtown area. Lighted floats, vehicles, bands, marching units and more will all be a part of this year’s parade. Following the parade, musicians from Sonfire by the River will perform prior to the Village Christmas Tree Lighting at Mason Park. Santa Claus will help light this year’s tree. Eastwood’s sixth grade instrumentalists will perform for the carol sing.
        Pemberville’s annual celebration will coincide with this year’s “National Shop Small” Promotion. Pemberville has an array of small businesses that exemplify this endeavor of buying local. Patrons making purchases of $25 or more at participating Pemberville businesses from Nov. 17-Dec. 15 will have a chance win the new “Win the Window” promotion, featuring prizes from several local businesses.
     For more information, call 419-287-3274.