Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest kicks off with Santa, fireworks

Sat, 12/07/2019 - 12:00pm

    Wiscasset’s Holiday Marketfest opened Friday with holiday music, a visit from St. Nicholas, and fireworks. Stores downtown stayed open after dark, welcoming shoppers to a bedecked Main Street.

    On Main Street Pier, a couple of the small seasonal shops were open, but the big draw was Santa Claus, at Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce, where cookies, donut holes and hot cocoa were on offer. Children whispered their Christmas wishes to the big guy in the red suit, who promised to do his best, and handed each child a candy cane.

    Aiden Flanagan, 8, of Wiscasset made several visits, clarifying his wish list. Another young hopeful wisher was Ryah Jones, 3, of Wiscasset, who received a stocking from deejay Peter Rines.

    Events continue throughout the weekend with horse-drawn wagon rides, a holiday shop in Nickels-Sortwell barn, a display of over-the-top wreaths, also in the Nickels-Sortwell barn, the Nickels-Sortwell house dressed up in holiday style, holiday tea at the Ledges, a visit with Santa and Fritz the Reindeer dog at the Ledges, the Christmas tree lighting on the Wiscasset Common at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and an advent craft workshop on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Food First Congregational Church. And of course, the downtown shops are open.

    Events are capped off with the Snow Ball at the Ledges from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Salty Dog will provide music.