EARLVILLE – As winter creeps closer and closer, Earlville’s annual Winterfest celebration is just days away.
Winterfest will be held on Saturday, with most of the activities centralized to the Village Green. The day begins with the Earlville Fire Department’s Ladies’ Auxiliary Poinsettia Sale at 9 a.m. at the Fire House. Coinciding with that event is the annual Craft Fair, running until 1p.m. The craft fair is a unique blend of local artisans, bakers and knitters selling their wares. The firehouse is handicap accessible and will be heated during the fair.
The Earlville Boy Scouts Troop will host their annual tree sale starting at 9 a.m. and the Girl Scouts Troop of Earlville will be selling donuts and hot chocolate.
As a tradition to kick-off the gift buying season, the Earlville Opera House will host their multi-weekend Holiday Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 3. 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.
With a strong turn-out of competitive teams last year, the third annual Fruitcake Curling competition changes venue but maintains its excitement. This year’s event will be held at 10 a.m. on the brick patio in front of the Earlville Free Library. Registration for teams must be turned in by noon on Dec. 1 to the Village Office. No teams will be accepted after that date.
Horse-drawn wagon rides will take place through the village from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at the fire hall.
The evening festivities begin with a visit by Mrs. Claus to the Earlville Free Library for Story Time at 5 p.m. The annual Chili Cook-off will be held at the Village Office at 5 p.m. This exciting event pits area residents’ culinary skills against each other in a blind-taste competition, judged by the public on five criteria: aroma, consistency, color, taste and aftertaste. Chili drop off will be from 4:30 to 4:45 p.m. Entrants must bring at least 40 ounces of chili and a complete list of ingredients for allergens. Complete rules are available on the Village’s website.
Chestnuts will be roasted and hot cocoa will be available in the Gazebo from 5 p.m. on. The annual Christmas Parade will step off at 6 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony and tree lighting in the park. Cash awards, ribbons and trophies will be given for the Fruitcake Curling competition, Chili Cook-off, Holiday Lighting Contest and the Gingerbread House competition. The Gingerbread House multi-age competition is open to all area residents. There will be adult and youth divisions, and awards will be given to the top finishers in both divisions, in addition to a grand champion. The drop-off date for the houses will be Dec. 1 at the Susan Anacker Surveying Office on the corners of Main Streets. Participants do need to sign-up; more information is available at the library or you can visit the Village’s website for the exact drop-off time and registration form for the house competition.
Following the awards ceremony and tree lighting, the library will: hold an open house with cookies and punch; feature a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus; and draw the annual raffle basket winners.