Submitted by Laura Parette, Revitalizing Waterbury
Experience the holidays in true Vermont fashion in Waterbury this year. With over four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Waterbury, Vermont pulls out all the stops to create a Very Merry Waterbury for residents and visitors alike.
November 23 kicks off our popular Wrap It Up & Win shopping and dining promotion. Waterbury’s wide variety of unique and fun local stores, restaurants, and breweries put out the welcome mat and invite visitors to shop the vast array of products, provisions and services offered. More than 35 businesses participate in this festive promotion sponsored by Revitalizing Waterbury; and over 100 gift cards and gift certificates, valued at nearly $3,000 will be awarded in four weekly drawings. Wrap It Up & Win is simple. Customers receive a stamp on a playing card when they visit participating merchants; players who collect five stamps and drop their cards off at designated locations are eligible to enter the weekly drawings. There is no limit to the number of times one can enter.
Wrap It Up & Win is just the beginning of Very Merry Waterbury, a month of holiday-inspired happenings throughout town. The much-anticipated Holiday Stroll takes place on Saturday, December 1. Stores and businesses open their doors with special activities and events all day long. New this year is the Very Merry Waterbury Artisan’s Boutique with 14 artists and crafters selling the perfect holiday gift items. The fun culminates with the River of Light Lantern Parade at 5 p.m. The River of Light Parade features elaborate artist-made lanterns joining simpler lanterns imagined and created by children and adults. The theme for this year’s parade is “Fantastical Favorite Food: From Farms to Families” and after dancing through town the parade ends at Dac Rowe Fields with a community bonfire. Other events, including more than a few surprises, will follow throughout December. Check out the Very Merry Waterbury Holiday Calendar to see all that is happening.
As we settle in for the winter, December is a great time to explore our vast outdoors. Hiking and snowshoeing along the Cross Vermont Trail that circumnavigates downtown Waterbury is a great place to start. Waterbury is only 20 minutes from four great ski resorts – Stowe, Sugarbush, Bolton Valley and Mad River Glen. Return to Waterbury for perfect après ski brews and bites at one of our pubs or breweries and stay the night in one of our friendly hotels, inns or B&B’s
To find participating Wrap It Up & Win locations, look for the snowmen displayed in business windows around Waterbury. For a complete list of participating retailers and restaurants, click here for more information or check out Revitalizing Waterbury’s Facebook page.