A Grinch theme for Earlville’s Winterfest

(Earlville, NY) Dr. Seuss’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is the theme of this year’s Earlville Winterfest weekend, and sleuthing your way through the village as part of this year’s inaugural Scavenger Hunt could net you the $100 cash prize.

The festivities will kick off on Dec. 4 with a 6 p.m. showing of the classic TV movie at the Earlville Free Library.

On Saturday, the village will play host to many events – some classic to Winterfest and some new challenges for this year. A Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Earlville Fire Hall. In addition to the Earlville Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary wreath and poinsettia sale, area craft vendors will have their wares displayed for sale. The firehouse is handicap accessible and will be heated during the fair.

One of the challenges for area residents is a new take on the traditional winter game of curling. At 10 a.m., teams will gather at the pavilion on Fayette Street (the former school) for Fruitcake Curling competition; more details of the event, including rules, will be available soon.

Horse-drawn wagon rides will take place through the village in the early afternoon, starting at the fire hall. The Earlville Boy Scouts will be set up in the park for those looking to put a live tree in their home for Christmas.

As a tradition to kick-off the gift buying season, the Earlville Opera House will host their multi-weekend Holiday Sale. The gallery and gift shop will be brimming with works by local and regional artists and artisans, offering a variety of handmade and handcrafted items, from knitted items to baskets, jewelry and more.

The Earlville Free Library will play host to several events, including Mrs. Claus’ storytime at 4:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., local residents’ culinary talents will be on display for the inaugural Chili Cook-off. Entrants must bring: at least 40 ounces of chili; a complete list of ingredients for allergens; one ingredient must be green in keeping with The Grinch theme; and must bring something to keep the chili warm (electric will be provided for the cook off at the gazebo). Complete rules will be available soon on the village website. If chili is not festive enough for you, hot chocolate and fresh roasted chestnuts will be available in the gazebo.

The annual parade will step off at 6 p.m., meandering its way through the village. Following will be the tree lighting in the park, including the announcement of the Gingerbread House and Scavenger Hunt winners. These are two new events for this year. Anyone with a steady hand and baking prowess is invited to participate in the Gingerbread House Competition. Houses must be dropped off at the Earlville Free Library on or before Nov. 25 to be put on display for judging the week leading up to Winterfest. All competitions as part of Winterfest are free to participate in. Rules and a registration form will be available on the village website in the near future. If you need a few pointers, the Earlville Free Library will host a Gingerbread House Workshop at 2 p.m. Nov. 21. Read more about this class in Library Director Shari Taylor’s upcoming articles.

The Scavenger Hunt will take participants around the village to various businesses. You can download and print the map from the village website or get your copy at the village office or Earlville Free Library. By following the map, you will find the local businesses that have a poster on display for Winterfest. The key to each poster is the question at the bottom about the TV movie Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Put the answer in the corresponding blank on the map and you could win $100. The posters will be on display at the various participating businesses on Nov. 18 and the deadline to turn in your completed map is 2 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Earlville Free Library.

Music entertainment for the tree lighting and for an 8 p.m. performance are being lined up. Following the tree lighting, Santa will make a visit to the Earlville Free Library to offer his ear, cookies and punch for area children.

Though not necessarily a part of Winterfest, the annual House Decorating contest will take place with judging by the Earlville Planning Board members on Dec. 16. The announcement of first, second and third place, along with honorable mention, will take place at the January 2010 regular Board of Trustees meeting.

If you would like to be a part of this year’s festivities, visit the village website at www.villageofearlville.com for more information, including a complete schedule and rules for the above mentioned events. It is not too late to add events to the schedule, so contact the village via e-mail at villageofearlville@gmail.com with your suggestions.

A Grinch theme for Earlville’s Winterfest

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