Freeport to celebrate holidays with Small Town Christmas festivities

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Freeport.

The Freeport Renaissance Association — a community organization dedicated to promoting and beautifying Freeport — is hosting a Small Town Christmas celebration to spread holiday cheer around the town. It’s an annual tradition that began in 2005 and has grown to involve partnerships with other community organizations and businesses, said Mary Bowlin, president of the Freeport Renaissance Association.

The Small Town Christmas event, scheduled for Saturday, will include virtual and socially distanced events this year to accommodate covid-19 restrictions, according to the event’s Facebook page.

But the pandemic won’t spoil Freeport’s festive fun. Covid-19 forced the Freeport Renaissance Association to nix a community yard sale in the spring and scrap their September by the River event — but that only makes this celebration more special, Bowlin said.

“We have had to cancel so many things this year that we wanted to have some sort of festive activities,” Bowlin said. “To be able to create something for this joyous time of year where memories can still be created is just wonderful.”

The Small Town Christmas celebration will maintain its tradition of hosting a house decorating contest, with categories like “Norman Rockwell” and “Griswold.” Judging for the competition is slated for Dec. 19, Bowlin said.

Plus, there are gingerbread creations displayed in the windows of the Freeport Library on Market Street. They’ll be showcased there throughout December.

The library has not yet decided whether to host its library Christmas sale this year, Bowlin said.

A new addition to this year’s festivities is a wreath decorating contest. Judging for categories like “Joyful Jesus” and “Jingle Jingle” will take place Dec. 19.

The holidays are an opportunity to support local businesses, Bowlin said.

“Freeport restaurants and specialty shops will be open to welcome guests searching for unique gift ideas,” she said.

She touted Antique Market, Back in Thyme Flower Shop, Bistro on Fifth, Lucy’s Riverside Cafe, the Liberty Tavern and the Upper Deck as prime local businesses to support during the holiday season.

For more information, visit the Freeport Renaissance Association’s Facebook page.