GRAFTON – Despite cool and rainy weather on Sunday, Dec. 3, hundreds turned out to welcome the holidays in general and Santa in particular.
Local businesses and nonprofits offered programs, discounts and more during the annual “Grafton Celebrate the Holidays.”
Many started their day at the Craft Fair at the Municipal Center gym. Dozens of vendors had ornaments, winter clothing and other items available for purchase.
The Grafton Police Department held an open house; officers conducted tours, and gave young and old the chance to try out some of their safety equipment.
At Grafton Community Television’s studios, visitors could stop by and record a holiday message.
“Frosty Stops” stretched from one end of town to the other. The Willard House & Clock Museum was decorated for a Victorian holiday, courtesy of the Grafton Garden Club; Unibank on Worcester Street hosted a showing of “The Polar Express.”
Closer to the Common, all three churches hosted special programs. The Baptist Church presented more than 170 Nativity creches from around the world; the Congregational Church had a kid-sized gaga ball pit in its social hall; and the Unitarian church hosted a fair downstairs and a handbell concert upstairs. After the concert, visitors could learn from the handbell choir how to ring the bells.
The church’s handbell choir will perform at its services on Dec. 10 and 24.
At the Grafton Public Library, the Girl Scouts oversaw a gingerbread house contest, while storyteller Diane Edgecomb entertained with several stories about winter.
Santa started his day at Homefield Credit Union before hitching a ride with the Fire Department to the Common. When he arrived, the jolly old elf high-fived several young visitors, then helped light the decorations at the Common.
“Grafton Celebrates the Holidays” was sponsored by the Recreation Department. For information about programs, visit www.graftonrec.com.
