Enjoy the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned holiday celebration at Pemberville’s Christmas in the Village Saturday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26 from noon-6 p.m. in the heart of the village’s downtown.
        Merchants and members of the Pemberville-Freedom Area Historical Society will welcome guests to the celebration. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be also be strolling the streets, listening to wishes and offering treats compliments of the Pemberville Independent Merchants Association.
        The Historical Society will host an Old-Fashioned Christmas Open House at the Pember-Furry House and One-Room School. The Pember-Furry House is believed to be Pemberville’s oldest frame house and will feature Christmas décor from days gone by. Local residents were invited to decorate each of the house’s rooms, along with the one-room school. Admission is free; donations are welcome.
        The Historical Society property also includes the Blacksmith Shop and Old Smokehouse. Guests will be able to ask questions of the working blacksmith and purchase the society’s popular smoked sausages on a stick.
        Pemberville’s downtown merchants invite guests to shop and stroll along Front Street. Ten shops, boutiques and eateries in total will be offering hometown hospitality, along with selections of plants and florals, apparel, home décor, vintage Christmas, antiques, Amish edibles, yarns and such, children’s gifts, jewelry and more.
        Eats and sweets will be available for dine-in or carryout. Holiday photo ops and Christmas music sponsored by the merchants will add to the downtown festivities.
        Other highlights include a coffee truck offering a variety of brews, lattes and more; Poppin’ George’s Kettle Corn and the Tangled Tinsel Christmas Resale Shop open three days only, Friday Nov. 24-Sunday, Nov. 26.
        Pemberville’s Town Hall will be the setting once again for the annual Bake Shoppe. This fundraiser for the Historical Society is a perennial favorite and offers a variety of homemade cookies, pies, candies, breads and more. All proceeds benefit the society and the restoration and upkeep of Pemberville’s historical properties.
        Festival of Trees
        The Pemberville Opera House will be the setting for the Festival of Trees. This year’s tree fest will feature 14 decorated trees with the theme “Holiday Television Memories.” Anything goes when it comes to this annual decorating competition. Admission is $5 per adult and entitles ticketholders to voting rights for their favorite trees. Children 12 and younger get in free with paid adult. Complimentary holiday refreshments will be available.
        Holiday musical selections will be offered by strolling musicians at the Opera House and at The Gathering Place.
        Lighted Christmas Parade
        The finale to the celebration will be Pemberville’s Annual Lighted Christmas Parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The parade is open to all; participants must register and check in before the parade between 4 and 6 p.m. at the Scout Cabin (Memorial Drive).
        This year’s parade will start at the corner of Memorial Drive and Front Street (SR 105) near the Pemberville Public Library, travel west through the downtown business district and end near the Pemberville Town Hall/Mason Park.
        The theme for this year’s parade is “Bigger & Brighter.” Santa Claus will wrap up the parade and then lead guests to Mason Park (corner of Main and Pine streets) for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
        The Eastwood Seventh-Grade Band will perform musical selections for the carol sing. Santa Claus and Pemberville Mayor Carol Bailey will welcome guests and light the tree.
        For more information about Pemberville’s Christmas in the Village and/or the Lighted Christmas Parade, call 419-287-3274.