Holiday at the Plaza to ring in the season Saturday

Lewiston’s holiday tree, a 40-foot spruce, is set up Nov. 22 at Dufresne Plaza on Lisbon Street. It was donated by a homeowner on Grove Street, and is to be lit Dec. 3. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — Holiday at the Plaza on Saturday promises a return to the magic of past celebrations, Lewiston Marketing Director Angelynne Amores said.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. at Dufresne Plaza where Santa, reindeer, ice skating, music and food will be among the features.

After a summer of fun-filled activities, the city looks forward to a celebration harkening back to the Peck’s department store era when families enjoyed visiting Santa and fishing for a toy, cruising the multifloor retailer and other activities arousing the holiday cheer Lewiston remembers.

“Those experiences evoke fond memories that still resonate with people to this day,” Amores said. “That is what we hope to capture at the festival — an opportunity for families to create great memories and start holiday traditions. Fast forward to more recent times, Lewiston has annually provided a fun-filled holiday celebration, and this year, we’re taking it to a new level.”

Except for select events and performances, the festival will run 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. All-day activities will include pictures with Santa, ice skating, an artisan craft fair featuring a dozen Maine businesses, six food trucks, kids’ craft tables and a special mailbox for letters to Santa.

The city Recreation Department will hold reindeer games and Rinck Advertising will set up a giveaway for mittens, hats and gloves.

Horse and wagon rides and visits with live reindeer run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A giant snow globe goes up at noon and an ice carving demonstration starts at 1 p.m. Festivalgoers will vote on the best business window decorations; details will be provided at festival entrances.

Music will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Bates College’s a capella group, the Merimanders.

Other performers include another Bates a capella group, TakeNote; vocalist Leslie Reed; Beth Almquist and Cecelia Landry performing on violin, cello and guitar; Rabbi Sruli Dresdner and Lisa Meyer; and Maine Music Society Chamber Singers.

Santa Claus and Mayor Carl Sheline will count down to the Christmas tree and menorah lighting at 4:30 p.m. After the lighting ceremony, Chamber Singers will continue the music fun.

“I’m excited about Lewiston’s holiday celebration this year,” Sheline said. “We’ve just come off an amazing summer of events in Lewiston with great attendance and I’m looking forward to the same with Holiday at the Plaza.”

Entrances to Dufresne Plaza will be at Park and Ash streets and parking will be free at Oak Street garage and along Oak Street. Lisbon Street will be closed from Ash to Main street to accommodate festivities.

Check out the schedule at https://www.lewistonmaine.gov/holidayattheplaza.