Slew of weekend holiday festivities coming to Greenfield
Original article published in Greenfield Recorder By Mary Byrne
GREENFIELD — Santa Claus is coming to town on Dec. 10, kicking off a weekend of holiday festivities.
People schmooze and shop at the Holiday Pop Up Market in the Pushkin Gallery on Friday evening during Jinglefest in Greenfield. December 8, 2017
The annual holiday pop-up shop at the Pushkin Gallery, hosted by Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, is also returning this year after a year’s hiatus, with more than 30 vendors lined up over the three-day event that coincides with Jinglefest and The LAVA Center’s Saturday Holiday Salon.
“Greenfield is just going to be the place to be on that weekend,” said Ben Goldsher, manager at Hawks & Reed. “We invite everyone to come out and enjoy some fun.”
With luminaries lining the streets, Santa Claus will arrive on a Greenfield Fire Department fire truck on Friday, according to Greenfield Business Association (GBA) Coordinator Rachel Roberts. Unlike in previous years — when Santa finished his ride at Wilson’s Department Store on Main Street — his ride will conclude at 5 p.m. at the Garden Cinemas, where he will be available for photos before a 5:30 p.m. free showing of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
“In addition to having Santa visit us at the Garden Cinemas, the YMCA is also doing their Community Family Night,” Roberts said. “It’s free to anybody.”
Franklin County’s YMCA’s Community Family Night will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday and includes a visit from Officer Clarence and other comfort dogs.
On Saturday, Dec. 11, the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library will do a drawing at the Pushkin Gallery for $1,350 worth of restaurant gift certificates. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Greenfield Public Library and World Eye Bookshop.
The Hawks & Reed holiday pop-up shop will take place throughout the weekend at the Pushkin Gallery, where Goldsher said there will be as many 30 vendors with artwork and crafts for sale. The pop-up shop will be open on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“It’s a great place to get all your holiday gifts,” he said. “We’re really excited to bring this back to the community.”
At The LAVA Center, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, there will be open gallery hours, vendors, music, a holiday-themed craft table for children, holiday story time, refreshments and more. Mrs. Claus will read Christmas-themed poetry and short stories at 7 p.m.
Roberts added that the weekend’s festivities are a chance for residents to support the community.
“Other than the spirit of holidays and everybody enjoying each other’s company,” she said, “local business support keeps the money in the community and feeds our friends and families and neighbors.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne