Jefferson Township announces Christmas in the Village
OAK RIDGE — The Jefferson Arts Committee will once again coordinate the 13th annual Christmas in the Village event on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the historically designated Village of Milton (vicinity of Milton and Dover-Milton Roads) in the Milton/Oak Ridge section of Jefferson Township. Admission is free unless otherwise noted, and parking is free at all venues.
Starting the day off, The Milton First Aid Squad will host their annual hearty Pancake and More Breakfast at their building located at 45 Milton Road but this year; it will be Breakfast with Olaf. No reservations necessary, admission fees will apply.
The Jefferson Township Historical Society will offer tours with costumed docents at the holiday decorated Jefferson Township Museum located at 315 Dover-Milton Road. Each room of the Chamberlain home circa 1870 will be decorated around the holiday theme A Gingerbread Christmas. Admission is free, and Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe will be open and selling antiques and unique gifts.
St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church located at 153 Milton Road will be the setting for live entertainment throughout the day featuring the White Rock School Chorus, the Arthur Stanlick School Chorus, the No Strings Acappella Group, and the Jefferson Township High School Madrigal Chorus — admission is free. The Jefferson Township Community Chorus under the direction of James Wynne will perform their annual holiday concert as well and would appreciate a free will offering. The Church kitchen will be selling soup, sandwiches, and refreshments, and merchandise and craft vendors will be selling their merchandise. This is where you will find the JTHS Band Parents selling their live decorated Christmas wreaths.
Milton United Methodist Church at 316 Dover-Milton Road will host live entertainment in their church sanctuary located at the corner of Dover Milton and Schoolhouse Roads, and live entertainment will feature the Methodist Church’s very own Handbell Choir, the White Rock School Band, the Arthur Stanlick School Band, the Jefferson Township High School Band, and the Jefferson Township Middle School Band — admission is free. The Jefferson Township Community Band under the direction of Peter Tummillo, Jr. will perform their annual holiday concert and would appreciate a free will offering. The Arts Committee’s annual Gingerbread House Contest will be sited here while the Church will be selling cookies and cocoa in Headley Hall.
Jefferson Township Fire Company No. 1’s firehouse at 162 Milton Road will be transformed into The Village Marketplace with 18 high quality arts, crafts, and merchandise vendors – admission is free. Here Oak Ridge Martial Arts will present a demonstration, and the Jefferson Girl Scouts will lead a holiday sing-along. Other entertainment will soon be announced. Members of the Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary will be selling chili, hot dogs, chicken fingers, donuts, and refreshments.
American Legion Post #423 will be selling live Christmas trees in the parking lot of their post home located at 28 Legion Road, just a short walk or drive down the street.
Jefferson CONNECT will hold their “Light a Luminary for Remembrance” for those affected by suicide and loved ones lost at the Jefferson Township Gazebo, 1033 Weldon Road on Sunday, Dec. 2. All are invited.
The Jefferson Community Players will perform the romantic radio play “I'll Be Seeing You", based a 1940’s film that featured Joseph Cotten a soldier on leave, who meets Ginger Rogers, a prisoner let out for a Christmas furlough. A free performance directed by Jean Simonsen will be presented on Saturday in the Jefferson Township Senior Center, 54 Schoolhouse Road.
Travel outside the Village proper to Camp Jefferson at 81 Weldon Road for the Jefferson Township Recreation Department’s Visit with Santa event from 10 am to 3 pm.
Village festivities will continue into Sunday, December 2 with a free encore matinee performance by the Jefferson Community Players of “I’ll Be Seeing You” at the Senior Center. The Jefferson Township Museum and Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe will re-open on Sunday afternoon with tours of the historical home.
Watch for performance schedules, updates and announcements on www.jeffersonarts.org, www.thejeffersonchronicle.com, www.mylakenews.com, and local newspapers.
As details unfold, a detailed entertainment time schedule (which is subject to change) will be made available at www.jeffersonarts.org in the Press Releases Section. Printed schedules will also be available as the event draws near in the display racks at the Jefferson Township Municipal Building, Jefferson Township Public Library, and the Recreation Office at Camp Jefferson. For other information and or inquiries, email artscommittee@jeffersonarts.org, or call 973-697-3828.