The Killingworth Chamber of Commerce, the Killingworth Lions Club and TD Bank are sponsoring Christmas at the Farm on Saturday, December 8 at Parmelee Farm on Route 81 in Killingworth. This annual holiday gathering complete with horse drawn carriage rides, sing-a-long caroling and storytelling with Santa opens at 2 p.m. and concludes with tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.
Shop local opportunities from some of Killingworth's local businesses will be available inside heated tents. Vendors will offer crafts, gifts, gift certificates and food.
Event Chair Tim Gannon says that this year's Christmas at the Farm event will be much larger than last year's First Annual Tree Lighting at Parmelee Farm.
"It’s a combination Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club event, sponsored by TD Bank. TD Bank is supplying a nice financial donation to help support it. We have a variety of people helping out with the various tasks – local residents donating their time and efforts to get it underway," he explains.
Gannon, who is on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce as well as on the Parmelee Farm Steering Committee, said "the Chamber Board has decided to be an active participant supporting the Farm and the activities that are there."
He added, "The Board felt that Christmas at the Farm was a really good community event to get a lot of volunteer groups as well as Chamber members together for a real feel-good event for the community."
Parmelee Farm, he says, "is gradually becoming a good center for those kinds of activities. We felt that this would be a good opportunity for Chamber members to have some additional exposure at an event."
Killingworth resident Fran Dooley is donating the tree. The Lions are in charge of taking down the tree, getting it located at the Farm and decorating the tree.
Larry Marotti, who donated and set up the lights along the trail from the Middle School parking lot to the Farm, will be doing so again this year.
"Last year's event was just a tree lighting, but this year's will run from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.. There will be carolers, and the Lions will provide booklets with the Christmas carols in them," he said.
"It’s basically another gathering opportunity for the community to come together for a good time and to see some of the businesses besides ones that are on the main drag."
"It gives people the opportunity to get gift certificates or gifts or do some Christmas shopping in addition to having a good time," he said.
The different civic organizations in town have the opportunity to have a table to explain what they do. Tables are free to any Chamber member or non-profit, and $25 for any non-Chamber member.
"We’re trying to encourage as many businesses to take advantage of having additional exposure to more people as well as to have people see what businesses are there."
Gannon added, "We really hope the community will come out and enjoy the event. It’s fun for everybody and just a good community getting together event."
The Lions are providing heated tents for the vendors.
Killingworth resident Jamie Lehane is doing the musical accompaniment.
"A lot of people from town are getting involved to make it successful – that’s what Parmelee is all about – getting the community involved."
Gannon said, "We really thank TD Bank for their support of this community event, enabling us to make it bigger and expanded."
Connie Meierdiercks, TD Bank Branch Manager as well as Christmas at the Farm Committee member, "was instrumental at getting the grant for us," he added.
"TD Bank is proud to sponsor the 'Christmas at the Farm' tree lighting this year," said Connie Meierdiercks, Store Manager for TD Bank. "We recognize the impact these events have, and our goal is to build successful partnerships that benefit our customers and their communities."
There is a well-lit trail from the parking area at the Middle School to this free event.
If you would like to reserve a table or half table, please contact Peg Scofield at peg@killingworthct.com.
