CURWENSVILLE – It’s become a much-anticipated holiday tradition for Curwensville and the surrounding communities.
Each year brings something a little different along with everything people have come to expect from Curwensville’s Home for the Holidays, which is celebrating its 15th year.
The event kicks off on Wednesday, Nov. 8 with a Historical Society meeting at the Curwensville Public Library. This year, the guest speaker is James Hand, a World War II veteran who lives in Hepburnia.
Hand was a seaman in the Pacific Theater of the war, having witnessed two Kamikaze attacks on his ship among the many other things he witnessed during his service.
Hand has remained active in the Curwensville community, including continuing to teach Sunday school at Curwensville Alliance Church.
This year’s Fuel Aid Concert at Curwensville Community Church begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Something a little different this year, the concert features “The Girls from the USO.”
Babes, Babbs and Tootsie will entertain old and young with their music and antics, with proceeds from tickets and donations going to benefit the Curwensville Ministerium’s Fuel Fund.
From these funds families in need can receive help paying for heating fuel throughout the cold winter months. Admission is $5 at the door.
The Curwensville Alliance Church will welcome visitors to view a collection of model trains and Christmas villages beginning Friday evening and through the day on Saturday.
People can see a variety of trains of different sizes, models, ages and set-ups as well as miniature villages, ranging from antique to modern and complementing the model railroads.
Friday, Nov. 10, the Wine Walk, hosted by Curwensville-Grampian Knights of Columbus, will kick off beginning at 5 p.m. and running until 9 p.m. The wine walk features locally-produced wines for sampling at various businesses in the downtown area.
Participants are provided with a complementary wine glass along with their wristband when they register at the starting point, St. Timothy’s social hall.
Tickets can be purchased from local merchants for $20 each or at the social hall the night of the event for $25. Participants must also be 21 years of age and provide photo identification before receiving a wrist band.
The big events for kids are Saturday, Nov. 11. Breakfast with Santa will be held at St. Timothy’s social hall from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. However, registration for the event closed Oct. 31, due to limited space.
Those attending will be served a breakfast of French toast sticks, sausage and drinks at 9:30 a.m., followed by a variety of activities, including crafts, face painting, cookie decorating, games and, of course, the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, sit on his lap and maybe whisper what you’d like for him to bring this year.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring cameras to take pictures of their child with Santa.
Proceeds from the breakfast will go to benefit the Father James McKee’s Scholarship Fund, and the event is hosted by the St. Bonaventure and St. Timothy Faith Formation Department.
Santa will get a short break after meeting his favorite fans, and then he’ll take a short walk through Curwensville as part of the annual Santa Parade, kicking off at 12 p.m. Saturday.
Along with civic groups, bands and other organizations, Santa will make his way through downtown and afterwards be available to meet with more children and hand out treats.
For those wishing to take a break and let someone else do the walking for a while, horse and carriage rides are available again this year at the Curwensville United Methodist Church at a cost of $5 per person. The rides will be available from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The annual scavenger hunt is being planned and the form will be available for downloading soon. Sponsored by the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home, the scavenger hunt will involve collecting phrases to complete the song. The more merchants you visit, the more chances you have to win gift certificates.
Of course, that isn’t all. Visitors to downtown Curwensville will find sales and discounts at local merchants, raffle prizes and civic groups with booths selling soups, baked goods and more. There will be open house events and dining specials.
