Winter Wonderland is theme for Chester Greenwood Day parade

FARMINGTON — Winter Wonderland is the parade theme for the 33rd annual celebration of Chester Greenwood Day on Dec. 5.

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has released a partial list of events for the celebration of the earmuff inventor from Farmington. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and proceed through downtown. Judging of floats will begin at 10:15 a.m. with cash prizes awarded in four categories: theme, originality, appearance and youth group. Earmuffs must be incorporated into each float.

Preregistration is necessary for entry in the parade, but there is no charge to participate.

For those who like to enter the day's food contests, it's time to start thinking about chili and gingerbread houses. The chamber's annual chili contest is from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in the Bangor Savings Bank building on Main Street. Entries must be left between 11:30 and 11:45.

Chester Greenwood cake provided by the Hannaford supermarket in Farmington will be served after the chili contest.

The third annual Gingerbread House contest also bears the theme Winter Wonderland. The gingerbread creations must be dropped off at the Main Street entrance of Bangor Savings Bank between 8:30 and 9 a.m. The public is welcome to view the creations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A panel of judges will review the entries at 9:30 a.m. and award ribbons.

Preregistration is required for the chili and gingerbread house contests, but there is no charge to enter.

The chamber will host a writer and photographer for an article that will appear prior to Chester Greenwood Day 2010 in the national publication American Profile. The chamber urges the community to participate in this special day while showing the rest of the country Farmington's special celebration.

Other events will include the Chester Greenwood flag-raising at 12:15 p.m. in front of the courthouse, and horse and wagon rides will be offered after the parade. Pickup is near the Bangor Savings Bank.

The Farmington Historical Society will display vintage Greenwood items at the Titcomb House and will sell holiday wreaths.

American Legion Post No. 28 Auxiliary will host its annual holiday craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Legion building at High and Middle streets.

Members of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church on Academy Street will offer a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along with a cookie and candy walk.

The Farmington Rotary Club's annual Festival of Trees will take place at the Granary during the day. A reception and auction of trees will be held in the evening.

Polar Bear Club members will take their annual dip in Clearwater Lake at 3 p.m.

More information is available on the Chamber's Web site at www.franklincountymaine.org or by calling the chamber office at 778-4215.

abryant@sunjournal.com