Great Barrington — The Holiday Shop, Sip & Stroll Saturday, Dec. 8, will be holiday fun for everyone. The Stroll, which begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m., is the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce‘s largest community event of the year. All activities are free and open to the public.
Children and their families can count on seasonal favorites such as a story hour at Mason Library; a holiday model railroad at Saint James Place; letters to Santa (there’s a special mailbox that goes straight to the North Pole!); crafts and games; face painting; and the character parade at 4:30 p.m. from the base of Railroad Street through Main Street to Santa’s home, where they can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. New this year will be decorate-your-own gingerbread houses.
For the adult crowd, one of the most popular components of the Stroll is shopping and sipping at merchant locations, which always makes holiday shopping more enjoyable. Starting at 4 p.m., the store-to-store raffle will begin. Holiday Stroll vendors will be in full swing—adults can make boxwood wreaths, and everyone is welcome to ride the holiday hayride. Stop for food or shopping at the vendor area in the First Congregational Church parking lot, 251 Main St. New this year: Visit Salisbury Bank at the base of Railroad Street and stroll up, grab a Stroll program, and continue up to visit nonprofits spreading holiday cheer going up the left side of Railroad Street. Immediately following the fireworks, don’t miss the Berkshire Children’s Chorus at Saint James Place.
Attendees can warm themselves at one of the bonfires while listening to WSBS playing holiday music, and stroll the town to look at the holiday tree walk or over a dozen live windows. Join in with one of the caroling groups, walk down Rudolph’s Way or the North Pole Lane and purchase a luminary in memory of a loved one, and meet at Town Hall, 334 Main St., for the lighting of the town menorah and Christmas tree, which leads up to the holiday fireworks.