December 3, 2010 in downtown Amherst at 6:00 PM

Make it a Family Tradition

The holiday lights and banners will be in place.  The Downtown Businesses will be all aglow.  The children have sugar plums dancing in their heads and everyone is awaiting the arrival of Santa to officially kick off the Holiday season.

If you missed the last four years of the parades, Santa’s arrival to town, tree lighting and family fun activities during downtown Amherst’s annual Miracle on Main Street event, you won’t want to miss this year’s.  It will be bigger and better and have even more family fun for our community. Contests this year include a Coloring Contest for Grades k-4 and Lighting Contest for Businesses and Homes. You may obtain contest applications by clicking these links or from Perk Avenue Coffee Shoppe. And don't pass up an opportunity to participate in this year's Miracle on Main Street Parade- here is your parade application!

We will be offering Lolly the Trolley Express rides with four departure times:  6:00 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:30 pm and 8:15 pm. The cost for the ride is $5.00 per person and you may purchase tickets at Perk Avenue Coffee Shoppe or go here to pay for tickets online.

Start your evening early around 5 p.m. by enjoying dinner with your family at one of our fine downtown eateries.  The Madrigals of Steele High will be on hand for your entertainment at Town Hall beginning at 5:45 p.m. The evening continues at 6 p.m. with the kick-off our fifth Christmas parade beginning at the Amherst Public Library and following Park Avenue all the way up to Town Hall. 

The festivities will really begin with members of the Amherst Marching Comets kicking off our parade followed by many other local groups and clubs, such as Brownie Troops, Boy Scout Troops, the Amherst Steele Football team, a large court of Amherst Miracle on Main Street Princes and Princess’ and even an appearance by Santa Claus himself. At the end of the parade, everyone will gather at the steps of Town Hall where the event will be opened in prayer by a local minister of Amherst.  The Madrigals of Steele High will be leading the community in a few well known and traditional Christmas Carols and you will be introduced to a court of adorable little princess’ and princes.

We all should be honored as Santa Claus has once again said he would come to help with this Event.  One lucky girl and boy will be chosen to be Santa’s Magic Helpers this year. They will help Santa light the “official town tree and grounds."  Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles will all want to be present just in case their little girl and/or boy is called upon to be the Magic Helper and have the distinct honor of lighting our town tree. Surely this will be a magical moment this little girl and boy will never forget and your family will talk about for years to come.

After the parade and tree lighting ceremony your family is encouraged to see what downtown has to offer by stopping into the shops that are open, denoted by luminaries in front of their buildings.  These shops are open and waiting to welcome and greet you.

The Main Street building will be transformed into the “Family Fun Center” for the evening and Santa will be available to meet and greet your family until 9:00 p.m. The Girl and Boy Scouts have planned all kinds of fun for the evening, some crafts, light refreshments and bake sale, all for a small donation.  All proceeds from those sales will go to help our local troops.  As in previous years we will have our awesome traditional model train table for viewing.

With all this fun it is sure to be a very special evening, one to remember, so make sure you bundle up your family and come on down for some good old fashioned holiday fun! Miracle on Main Street 2010 – your family holiday community tradition! For more information about Miracle on Main Street, or to volunteer to help, please contact Promotions Chair, Joni Poli at 440-329-5283, or Executive Director, Teresa Gilles at 440-984-6709.