Christmas comes
home to county
Staff writers
Christmas arrived 2½ weeks early Saturday in Hillsboro and Peabody.
In Hillsboro, there were activities for children, a chili and cinnamon roll lunch, a plethora of holiday shopping opportunities, sales, and a visit from a jolly, red-clad man who bore a resemblance to Mayor Lou Thurston.
In Peabody, it’s not often you see the Grinch, the wise man Immanuel, and a miniature pony all in the same place, but Peabody’s Come Home for Christmas celebration Saturday brought an eclectic cast of characters to Walnut St. for a parade followed by various activities and shopping opportunities.
Hillsboro
Santa, riding in the back of a pickup, was escorted downtown by a fire truck and police squad car to visit children at 3 p.m. As Santa climbed out of the pickup bed, he looked over the group of children and told them they were all on his “good” list.
Children eagerly gathered to see him and also to listen to the reason people celebrate the holiday.
Then they got to perch on his lap to tell Santa what they wanted him to bring.
Hillsboro businesses offered free cider, cookies, specials, gift drawings, photos with the Grinch and Santa, cocoa, a Nutcracker recital, cookie decorating, and more.
Peabody
Unseasonably warm weather was partly to thank as a crowd of more than 200 turned out.
“The weather today has made it absolutely wonderful,” organizer Clarissa Dutton said. “Quite a few parade entries, up from the past couple years. The weather last year was very cold and rainy, and the year before was pretty rough as well.”
The parade featured a dozen floats.
A fire truck honked its horn, Mr. and Ms. Claus (Rick and Linda Depler, respectively) tossed candy from an elegant white carriage, and high school cheerleaders performed dance routines.
The parade lasted around 15 minutes, after which businesses along Walnut St. opened their doors.
Volunteers set up a fire pit, plastic chairs, and a s’mores station in the street.
Two musicians began to belt out Christmas ballads from a stage while residents and visitors wandered down Walnut, poking their heads into open shops.
“Really, we just want to bring everybody together to spend time for Christmas,” Dutton said.
Free activities included horse-drawn carriage rides, caricature drawings, and a “reindeer food station,” where kids mixed together sprinkles, oats, sugar, and corn.
The Come Home for Christmas committee also sponsored a bake sale out of Pop’s Diner. Locals donated a wide array of treats, with proceeds going to the local food bank.
“We started early, with sales right away during the parade, and it’s going well,” organizer Heidi Hittle, said. “We had a lot of different varieties of cookies donated here.”
The bake sale, “Mrs. Claus’ Baked Goods,” has been a part of every Come Home for Christmas since the event began six years ago.
“Pop’s is very generous, and lets us use the space,” Hittle said.
Senior and junior high school classes, 4-H, and a cheerleader looking to attend camp in Hawaii had separate fundraisers.
Food was a large part of the event. In addition to the bake sale, a hot dog stand, hot chocolate floats, and even boba tea were offered by local businesses.
“We have quite a bit,” Dutton said. “We try to take advice from everybody and do new things every year.”