30th Annual Overture to Christmas comes to Chester

Chester’s 30th Annual Overture to Christmas will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, with events leading up to it during the week before. Everyone is invited and there is no charge.

• 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, a Gingerbread Workshop will be held at the Fullerton Inn, 40 The Common, for children in grades K – 2. The event is free. The “house” and decorating items will be provided.
• 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 a Gingerbread Workshop will be held at the Fullerton Inn for children grades 3 through 6. Participants are encouraged to leave their finished houses on display at the Fullerton Inn as part of the Gingerbread House contest.
• Gingerbread House Contest: Open to everyone.  New this year will be a Business Category in addition to adult and children’s categories. Businesses are encouraged to create and submit a design. All houses must be at the Fullerton Inn by noon on Saturday, Dec. 5 for  judging.
• All Chester residents are invited to participate in the Door and Window Decorating Contest. Be sure to have decorations up by Saturday, Dec. 5.
• 8 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 5  Breakfast at the Chester Baptist Church, 162 Main St., hosted by the Chester Area Youth Group. There is a charge for this event.
  
• 10 a.m. to  12:30 p.m. Holly Art Fair will be held at Chester-Andover Elementary School, 72 Main St. Crafts and storytelling, this year featuring author Karen Rose from Two Mountain Farm.
• 11 a.m to 3 p.m. St. Luke’s Church Christmas Tea and Sale. St. Luke’s Church is located at 313 Main St. in Chester. There is a charge for this event.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live Nativity Scene at Chester Baptist Church.
• At 3:45 Parade of Presents and Tree Lighting. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way down Main Street, beginning at the Chester-Andover Elementary School, accompanied by the Parade of Presents. They will stop by the Green for the annual Lighting of the Chester Town Christmas Tree. Then, Santa and Mrs. Claus greet children in the lobby of the Fullerton Inn. Cookies, cocoa, books and candy canes are provided.
• 4  to 10 p.m. Luminaries will light up Main Street.
• 7:30 p.m. the Springfield Community Chorus will provide a free concert at the First Baptist Church.
• Noon Saturday, Dec. 12 ,  Annual Senior Citizens Christmas dinner will be held at the Chester-Andover Elementary School.