We all know Santa doesn’t work alone.  It takes a team of elves and reindeer to make the holidays special.

And so, this holiday season the North East Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all those who helped us fulfill our vision of creating a picture-perfect small town for holiday shopping and ENJOYing the season with family, friends and neighbors. 

For years the Chamber, (now known as ENJOY North East) has coordinated the decorating of the downtown – including cheerful red banners purchased by local stores and families, bright LED snowflakes, a giant red bow and lighted garland on each light post. But it’s the elves at the Borough who put up the decorations each year, so thank you!! Thank you also to the elves from North East in Bloom for updating the pots throughout town with wonderful winter greens and glittery accents. 

Another long-standing tradition is kicking off the holiday season with a light up event that includes the whole community. ENJOY North East is honored to be able to present this event to the community each year with financial assistance from North East Community Foundation and ECGRA. Three years ago, the celebration had a few TREEmendous additions – a 40-foot live tree located in Heard Park and a fabulous fireworks finale.

Thank you to the generous resident who annually donates the magnificent tree; to Robin Goodenow from the Borough who engineered the tree stand and decorated it this year with his son; to the multiple community organizations who came together to purchase the spectacular star at the top last year; to our parade participants including the NEHS marching band, chorus and basketball team along with Lake Country Bikes and both Crescent and Fuller Hose Companies who delivered Santa and Mrs Claus to the park in style and provided traffic control and fire protection. 

More than 1,200 attended the event this year and were treated to hot cocoa provided by The Skunk & Goat Tavern and cookies made by members of Orchard Beach Assembly. Thanks to Park United Methodist Church for the use of their kitchen and lawn for preparing and serving the goodies. Denise Pekelnicky loaned us her copy of Rudolph to watch on the big screen, Heidi Bemiss brought Great Lakes Popcorn Co. popcorn to munch on, while Sam Post provided the fire pits and wood for the bonfire and John and Lisa Meyer tended it. 

In preparing to decorate this year, our staff at ENJOY North East asked the question – what could we do to make the Lady in the Park truly shine? A picture from Pinterest was passed around and a new plan put in place. Many thanks to the Borough’s Robin Goodenow for designing and building this year’s new display and giving our lovely lady the shimmering showcase she’s always deserved. It far exceeded our expectations of an upgrade!!!

Last year, ENJOY North East made a goal of decorating every storefront on the outside to welcome and encourage shopping at our unique retailers. Our elves searched the stockpiles of decorations, wreaths and garland at the 4 NINE Thrift Store and purchased supplies at a deep discount. Then volunteers from North East in Bloom helped go store to store to trim the town. 

This year, we set our sites on bringing cheer to some of our vacant storefronts. With permission from the new owners, the six windows of the Haynes House were decked out with displays by North East in Bloom, 4 NINE Place and ENJOY North East. NEHS student Tilden Abercrombie and his mother Stephanie painted a Charlie Brown Christmas to the windows of the vacant brown building on South Lake Street, while the building next to China Jade on Main Street has dancing Sugar Plum Fairies and Nutcrackers painted by NEHS students Ella Canella, Audrey Kunzler, Tayla Van Tassel and Maisy Vigonier.

Sugar Plum Shopping is yet another long-standing tradition organized by the Chamber and now ENJOY North East. It’s an opportunity for our retailers to shine and we encourage that by underwriting horse & carriage rides, caricatures and more to draw people to our town. Advertisements were also placed in local newspapers, magazines and on TV to not only boost attendance at numerous local holiday events, but also to encourage shopping in North East the entire holiday season. 

The Winter Market, which featured handmade crafts from local residents, was also expanded this year to Park United Methodist Church and included more than two dozen vendors. Thank you to all the local businesses who added their own touch to Sugar Plum including The Apple Basket for hosting Mr. & Mrs. Claus and an Elf Workshop; Burch Farms Country Market and Signature Concession who set up in Gibson Park to offer warm drinks and tasty treats;  Community Nursing Services who offered gift wrapping, Dragonfly Sweets who made cookie decorating kits; McCord Library for coordinating a snowflake craft; North East Arts Council for providing the supplies and instruction for wine glass painting at the Chamber; and the North East Historical Society for holding an Open House.

The ENJOY North East staff and board of directors is grateful for the numerous partners we have throughout this community and wish everyone a very happy holiday season.