Celebrate Winterfest’s 10th anniversary

Bonfire, holiday music and the Winterfest Express among Hawley’s offerings

HAWLEY, PA — Hawley will host the 10th annual Hawley Winterfest celebration from December 12 through 14. The celebration was originally established in 1999 to celebrate Hawley’s Victorian roots and the passing from the 19th through the 20th and into the 21st century. During the festival, downtown’s thoroughfares are decked out in their holiday finest, this year including additional new lights to augment those acquired last year. New decorative banners will also be hung to allow for the original Winterfest banners, displayed since the inaugural event, to be retired.

The weekend kicks off with a Friday opening ceremony at 6:00 p.m., with a bonfire, caroling and hot chocolate in Bingham Park. Additional offerings Friday evening include an exhibit of the works of Louis Hensel at Borough Hall, a sneak peek of a new art show at the Looking Glass, a themed dinner marking the opening of Winterfest ’08 at Torte Knox and the Virgin Consort at the BVM Queen of Peace Church.

Highlights of Saturday events include the Winterfest Express aboard the Stourbridge Line (departs Wayne County Visitor’s Center in Honesdale to arrive at Hawley Station with a layover for the day’s activities); “Gnome Alone,” an original holiday show at the Ritz; various holiday crafts for children and adults including gingerbread decorating; the first annual juried arts and crafts show; holiday house tours; horse and carriage rides; Christmas tree and wreath sales; ice carving; photos with Santa and more.

Some of Saturday’s events will continue into Sunday. In addition, there will be musical entertainment by the Joyful Ringers, breakfast with Santa and a special Sunday brunch. Winterfest will conclude late Sunday afternoon with a performance by the Voices of Joy Community Chorus.

Hawley Holiday House Tour

One of the highlights of this year’s WinterFest will be a self-guided tour of five houses from another era, decorated for the holidays. Hours for the tour are Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 the day of the tour. Proceeds from the tour will benefit the Hawley Library and the Downtown Hawley Partnership.

Houses to be viewed will are the Beemer/Grosweiler House, an 1850 Farmhouse cottage with a picturesque view of the Lackawaxen River; the Middle Creek House, built in the early 20th century, which combines elements of both the Victorian and Arts and Crafts eras; the Finch House, built in 1925 by Arthur Finch on land that belonged to a member of a religious sect called the Christadelphians; the Plum House, built by Dr. Henry Plum and his wife May in 1898, and used for his medical practice as well as their home; and the Warren House, a Greek Gothic structure built around 1850 on land once owned by the coal company.

Advance tickets are available at Miss Elly’s Antiques, Poindexter’s, Penny Lane, the Hawley Library and Settlers Inn. On the day of the tour, tickets may be obtained at Hawley Borough Building from 10:00 am. to 1:00 p.m. Tour maps may be picked up on the day of the tour at the Hawley Borough Building (next to Hawley Sunoco).

For more information call 570/226-4064.