Santa Headlines Fun, Shopping, Food at Boyertown's "Chillin' on Main" Celebration

Forget those unseasonably warm temperatures. Ring in the holiday season this weekend by “Chillin’ on Main” at various locations in downtown Boyertown. Kids can get their photos taken with Santa … but they better watch out for the Grinch.  Rumor has it, he is determined to steal Santa’s day!

Chillin’ on Main will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, 11:00-2:00, and much of the fun is free. In its sixth year, Building A Better Boyertown (BBB) presents the holiday festival. “Each year we have added to the event,” explains Adrianne Blank, Main Street Manager. “We now have elves, snowmen, and reindeer, and last year we added the Grinch who is coming back to cause even more trouble for Santa. It’s a great day of fun for the family.”

Besides providing many activities to get people into the holiday spirit, the purpose of the event is “to bring people into town so they can experience the range of shopping and services available in the downtown area. We want people to see that they can ‘shop local,’ ” explains Shannon Anthony, BBB’s Promotions Committee chairperson and owner of Serenity Junction in Boyertown.

Santa Arrives In Style, Offers Photo Opportunity

Santa’s 11:00 AM arrival via fire truck is certain to get attention; Santa will remain in the vicinity of Bause’s Super Drug Store and Patsy’s Potpourri of Gifts, posing for photos with the kids until events conclude. “The photos are absolutely free thanks to the incredible generosity of Bauses’s, one of the sponsors of the event. Each photo will be printed and given to the children free of charge,” Blank emphasizes.

“When Santa comes with his procession of reindeer and elves, the street gets totally silent as everyone waits in anticipation, and when the Santa procession turns the corner, the kids break out into screaming and cheers to express their excitement,” says Anthony, describing her favorite moment of the day.  Another Santa highlight will be a table where children can write and mail a letter to Santa. Despite his busy season, he has promised to write back!

Music, Shopping, Crafts, Art Activities Bring Seasonal Spirit

Contributing to the festive atmosphere, the Boyertown Alumni Band will present a half hour show in the area between the library and Body-Borneman Insurance. DJ Scott Green will broadcast more sounds of the season from his location at the top of the stairs next to the Grill Shop; Green is donating his services to help make the event a success.

Downtown merchants will be open for business. And since decorating is a big part of the holiday spirit, individuals and groups can sign up at Bause’s to participate in a parking meter decorating contest, a challenge sure to test everyone’s creativity. Studio B, Boyertown’s not-for-profit art gallery, will offer activities for children, and hot chocolate, cookies, and hot dogs will be available for the hungry crowd.

While many activities are free, some items will be sold at inexpensive prices. Anthony explains that at Santa’s Workshop youngsters can do holiday shopping with most items priced at .50 cents to $1.00.  In some instances, such as the Boy Scouts who will be making and selling holiday wreaths, community groups will raise funds for their organizations with the items they sell.

Other groups expected to participate include the Girl Scouts, the Salvation Army, the Kiwanis Club, and BBB, whose board members will host a children’s craft table and a sale of inexpensive Beanie Babies.

Volunteers Add to Event Success

Volunteerism is the key to the day’s success, according to Blank and Anthony. They praise the many adult volunteers, the BBB Promotions Committee, and committee member Kim Frain. Each year Frain locates and organizes high school student volunteers. This year’s students are mostly from the Future Business Leaders of America and the Family Career and Community Leaders of America clubs.  A local Boy Scout troop and several other student volunteers will join them.

In all, about 40 students will assist in various ways, including dressing up in costumes, helping at Santa’s Workshop, and passing around cookies. Frain says she is glad to help. “I just enjoy the community spirit and seeing the people coming out and having fun with their children,” she explains.

Blank summarizes the feelings of all involved as she describes her favorite aspect of “Chillin’ on Main.” “I love the feeling created by closing the street to traffic,” she says, adding,  “It’s so nice to be out on the street in the downtown area with all of its beautiful historic buildings.  I love the community spirit and nostalgic feeling we create. It is a reminder of simpler times and the holidays of years gone by.”

So come on out to enjoy the fun and shop. But please! Watch out for that Grinch!

Additional Notes

In addition to Anthony and Frain, the BBB Promotions Committee includes Donna Houseman, Alex Boyer, Kevin Zimmers, Robert Frain, Sam Zimmers, and Donna Usavage.

Reading Hospital Medical Group of Boyertown, Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc., Boyertown Open House Tour, and Sensory Concepts Orthopedic and Medical Massage of Boyertown join Bause’s Super Drugstore and Building a Better Boyertown in sponsoring this year’s “Chillin’ on Main.”

[The event will take place rain or shine; parking is available in the inner core parking lot or the parking lots at St. John’s Evangelical and Church of the Good Shepard; street closure will be from 10:00– 3:00 PM.  See additional information elsewhere on Patch.com about the new show opening at Studio B, just in time for “Chillin’ on Main.]