HARRISON – The red and green Harrison Christmas flags above Main Street stand out against the white background of a soft, steady snow.

The cement bridge crossing the outlet that runs between Long Lake and Crystal Lake is decked out in garlands of pine and red bows.

The Harrison Brass Choir plays warm Christmas melodies from the icy cold instruments pressing against their lips.

Strings of children in bright coats, hats and scarves hold hands while crossing Main Street.

Many just left the cookies, cider and glowing wood fire available at the Caswell Public Library to seek the free horse and sled rides, beginning alongside the Lakeside Grange Building.

A child drops into the snow and flaps furiously to create a snow angel.

Some waiting for the sled give an occasional shiver and try to get warm by folding their arms across their chests. But then, some people had no hats, gloves or scarves.

It’s December. It’s Maine. It’s cold and snowing.

And by Santa Claus, it is the way it should be.

It is the 17th annual celebration Christmas in Harrison and what is Christmas without a little snow?

Kevin Guigger, the Lions district governor of New Brunswick, Canada, said he was surprised by the snow. On Friday, he made the seven-hour trip to be with other Lions and experience Christmas in Harrison.

The Harrison Lions were selling Christmas trees to raise money for the charities they support.

Other organizations were working for charities.

The Harrison Christmas Committee uses space in the Lakeside Grange Hall, rents space to crafters and holds a raffle to raise funds for the Christmas celebration.

“We use the money we raise to pay for the horses so people can have free rides,” said committee member Iris White. “We do a lot for the kids. We buy candy canes to give them, buy little gifts and pay for their photos with Santa.

“So, everything we make goes back,” she said.

One of those renting a booth in the hall was the Ronald G. St. John Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9320, Harrison. They sold homemade candy and were raffling a 31-inch television.

“I think we sold enough tickets to give $600 to each of three charities that provide toys for children at Christmas,” Don Sutherland said. “And the raffle doesn’t end until Wednesday!”

The streets were not as crowded as last year.

But it wasn’t slow.

Ken Butterfield, master of the Lakeside Grange, said he could attest the hall was busy nearly non-stop from 8:30 a.m. until about 2:30 p.m.

He spent much of that time running a mop over the large hallway area so people wouldn’t slip on the snow that was tracked in.

Other organizations pitched in to the celebration.

Boy Scouts served hot cocoa on Main Street on Saturday.

The Village Tie Up convenience store offered free chili and coffee.

The Christmas Carol Singers performed at The Olde Mill Tavern.

The new owners of the Lakeside Restaurant invited all to stop by to meet them and have a free cup of hot chocolate.

And the owners and staff of the Caswell House opened their doors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a pre-Christmas Dance party.

The Christmas Dance, sponsored by the Harrison Lions, was held from 8:30 to midnight.

At selected times on Saturday open houses were held at Blockheads, the Village Tie Up, the Market Basket, Heritage Reality, Mr. Oak, Northeast Bank, Harrison Historical Society, The Greenwood Manor Inn, The Olde Mill Tavern and Lakeside Restaurant.

“I think everybody in Harrison participates,” said Christmas Committee member Shelia Baxter. “From folks who volunteer to fix the lights, to those who haul in signs and those that clean up the horse poop.

“It starts the Christmas season off right,” she said.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com

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