Santa Claus, reindeer, special Christmas trees & more

December 7, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout

Editor’s note: See another post in Community with more holiday events, focused on performances.

*Waterbury Rotary’s Santa in the Park event is a holiday tradition. File photo by Gordon Miller*

In the weeks ahead of Christmas, multiple events and projects unfold in Waterbury to spread the holiday spirit.

Santa Claus and Christmas trees are popular themes.

There’s a project to write letters to Santa – and get a letter in response. The Waterbury Rotary Club hosts a Santa in the Park party and downtown businesses welcome a few real reindeer for a visit on Stowe Street.

There are tree-themed special projects that support worthy causes: Waterbury Public Library hosts an annual giving tree that helps families in need by matching community members to help provide holiday gifts to specific children; a tree inside Bridgeside Books bookstore collects books for children in rural Vermont and New Hampshire for the Children’s Literacy Foundation to distribute.

Even Waterbury Recreation’s youth programs this month have a holiday twist that includes making gingerbread houses. And don’t forget the Santa Claus convoy organized by the Vermont National Guard rolling through town on the 19th.

Below are some details on each of these efforts.

Dec. 6-8 , **(& if supplies last) Dec. 13-15: Harwood Union Tree Sale**

UPDATE Dec. 9: The tree and wreath sale sold out over the weekend and will not be held Dec. 13-15. Harwood students thank the community for supporting their class fundraiser.

Harwood’s sophomore class of 2027 is hosting the 24th annual tree sale this season. All proceeds benefit class activities including prom and graduation.

Held at American Flatbread on Vermont Route 100 in Waitsfield, the sale is scheduled for two weekends: Friday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If trees and wreaths are still available, additional dates are Friday, Dec. 13, 4:30-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 14-15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Included in the sale this year are Star Kits from the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce. These sales benefit the memorial funds in honor of the five young people who lost their lives in a tragic car accident in 2016. Here’s a short video with more information about this project.
Prices: Trees range from $30-$100 based on size. Star Kits are $40 for a 3-foot star and $50 for a 6-foot star. (Information provided did not list wreath prices.)

Organizers thank American Flatbread owner George Schenk for supporting this sale every year.

Deadline Dec. 10: Waterbury Recreation kids programs

Dec. 11 Kids Night Out: Canvas and Cocoa

At this kids-only paint night, youthful artists will be instructed in a holiday-themed scene while enjoying hot cocoa. Dinner will also be provided. This is a great opportunity for parents to shop local, grab their own dinner, or enjoy some time to themselves while kids are busy having fun creating art. Class is for ages 5-12. Fee: $25 for residents, $35 for non-residents.

Class runs from 6:15 to 9 p.m. at the Recreation Building, 27 Butler Street. Sign up online by midnight on Dec. 10. Registration link is here.

Dec. 17 Gingerbread House Decorating

At this night of holiday fun, attendees will build their own edible gingerbread houses from pre-made pieces supplied by Waterbury business Wildflower Baking Company. Everyone will leave with a delicious and decorated creation.

This class is recommended for kids age 8 and up; all children must be accompanied by an adult. Held 6:15 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Recreation building, 27 Butler St. Fee is $30 per participant. Sign up online by midnight on Dec. 10. Registration link is here.

Dec. 15: Multiple downtown events

Sunday, Dec. 15, will be busy downtown with multiple businesses hosting events.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Waterbury Area Senior Center will have a special holiday-themed bake sale with cookies and other baked goods including to-go pans of cinnamon rolls to heat up and enjoy at home. (While the supply lasts.)

Mrs. Claus visits the Tiny Acorn at 11:30 a.m. into the afternoon. Owner Sally Dain says there will be reindeer puppets and ornaments and cookies for visitors. Stowe Street Cafe welcomes Santa Fin for a visit that will overlap with the Reindeer Rendevous gathering (details below).

Over in Duxbury at 2 p.m., the Duxbury Historical Society will have a Sing-Along at the Old Meeting House across from Harwood. Details on that here. Later in the afternoon, the Waterbury Rotary Club will host Santa at Rusty Parker Memorial Park starting at 3 p.m. (Scroll down for details.)

*Vermont Reindeer Farm reindeer have visited Waterbury for the holidays since 2021. File photo by Gordon Miller*

4th Annual Reindeer Rendezvous

For the fourth year, Waterbury downtown businesses have teamed up to host the Reindeer Rendezvous. This free event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Real reindeer from the Vermont Reindeer Farm in the Northeast Kingdom will visit on Bidewell Lane between Bridgeside Books and Stowe Street Emporium.

This is a looking-only event where you can ask the handlers questions, but there is no touching or feeding of the animals.

Shops and restaurants will be open for visitors to explore that afternoon as well.

Parking information: Part of the parking lot on Bidwell Lane will be CLOSED to vehicle traffic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this event. Find parking at Brookside Primary School, Railroad Street/Park Row/Rusty Parker Park, Main Street, the State Office Complex and even Dac Rowe Park. There will be space on Stowe Street to drop off those who cannot walk far.

Event sponsors: Bridgeside Books, Stowe Street Cafe, Stowe Street Emporium, KC's Bagels, American Legion, Waterbury Rotary, Paprika Empanadas, The Reservoir Restaurant, Mike Kiessling of Edward Jones, and Darby, Kolter, & Roberts law firm.

Santa in the Park

*Santa’s visit at Rusty Parker Park is a Waterbury tradition. File photo by Lisa Scagliotti*

The Waterbury Rotary Club is excited to again host Santa's visit to Rusty Parker Park on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Santa is looking forward to hearing children's holiday wishes and to pose for photos in his sleigh. His elves will also be there with some special gifts for children.

The Rotary invites the community to enjoy the festive atmosphere and with some hot chocolate to keep warm. The event is free and open to all ages – including those who are only a kid at heart.

*The Vermont National Guard hosts Santa Claus along two routes. File photo by Gordon Miller*

Dec. 19: Vermont National Guard’s Santa Convoy

In an annual tradition, the Vermont National Guard will escort Santa Claus on a lighted convoy around the state on Thursday, Dec. 19, and the route will include a pass through Waterbury.

Operation Santa’s Convoy will travel on two paths – one from St. Albans to Colchester and another from Waterbury to Berlin, all happening between 4:30 and 8 p.m.

“We are excited to once again provide Santa a ride across the state.” Said Maj. Dakota Smith, Human Resource Officer with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) “We truly value the bond we have with our communities and are honored to be part of their holiday celebration.”

An hour before departure, vehicles will assemble into their convoys at their starting locations. During this time the public is welcome to visit and take pictures as the convoys prepare.

The northern route will gather at the Walmart parking lot in St. Albans. It will follow U.S. Route 7 south to the Vermont 289 connector to Vermont Route 15 through the Five Corners. It will end at the Colchester Armory at 862 Barnes Avenue, Colchester.

The central caravan route will form in the Shaw’s parking in Waterbury. It will head down Vermont Route 100 to U.S. Route 2 through town and then on to Montpelier. It will take U.S. Route 302, ending at the Berlin Armory at 363 Fisher Road, Berlin.

The public is invited to see the convoys before they set off, wave them on during their travels or visit Santa Claus and Vermont National Guard service members at their ending locations at the armories.

During the event, live route updates will be posted on the Vermont National Guard account on X, under the handle @VTNationalGuard. The schedules and locations for each caravan are below.

Northern Convoy Schedule

3:30 p.m. – St. Albans (departure at 4:30 p.m.)

4:50 p.m. – Georgia

5:20 p.m. – Milton

5:45 p.m. – Essex

6:00 p.m. – Colchester Amory (Santa will visit until 8 p.m.)

Central Convoy Schedule

3:15 p.m. – Waterbury (departure at 4:15 p.m.)

4:30 p.m. – Middlesex

4:50 p.m. – Montpelier

5:35 p.m. – Barre

6:00 p.m. – Berlin Armory (Santa will visit until 8 p.m.)

Deadline Dec. 21: Letters to Santa

*Waterbury Post Offices have special mailboxes for Letters to Santa. File photo*

Santa and the elves are getting ready for the big day and waiting to hear from youngsters.

This is a great opportunity for children to actually write a letter and get a reply.

Letters to Santa Claus can be mailed or dropped off at the Waterbury (05676) and Waterbury Center Post Offices (05677). Stamps are necessary if mailed, but not if letters are just placed in Santa's mailbox in each of the respective Post Offices.

The elves want to get replies done in time for Christmas, so be sure to get them to the post office no later than Saturday, Dec. 21st. And be sure to include the writer’s name and return address of course. Elf tip: Santa and the elves love letters, not just lists.

Deadline Dec. 24: Children’s Literacy Foundation Book Drive

A holiday collection is underway at Bridgeside Books to put new children’s books under the tree to benefit the Waterbury-based nonprofit Children’s Literacy Foundation.

CLiF distributes new books to children in underserved and rural areas of Vermont and New Hampshire.

The drive’s goal this year is 300 books. As of Dec. 6, the collection stood at 100.

Any children's book appropriate for ages 0-12 purchased at the shop to donate to The CLiF Giving Tree is 20% off through Dec. 24.

Holiday happenings for kids (& kids at heart)