30th Annual Holiday Open House
Event Sponsors
30th Annual Holiday Open House
Steeped in holiday tradition, the Exeter Holiday Open House celebrates its 30th year on December 1, 2016. Join the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce along with area businesses and organizations in Exeter for this annual event.Holiday Open House events start at 4:00 pm in downtown historic Exeter. Holiday music will fill the air with both new and traditional carols. At 5:00 pm, you won’t want to miss the excitement when SANTA arrives at the bandstand in Exeter by way of the Exeter Express, and with a wave of his hand, magically turns on the holiday lights illuminating downtown Water Street and Front Street. After his arrival, you can visit with SANTA at the bandstand and tell him all your holiday wishes. Or you can take a ride on the Exeter Express roaming railroad train, a new tradition in Exeter, located in front of the Exeter Town office building.
After your visit with Santa, there are plenty of other activities on this festive night. Walk around and view the holiday window displays as you shop around town. Many of the local stores will be offering holiday shopping discounts or special activities for both the old and young at heart.
Stroll up to the Congregational Church on Front Street for a sweet display of Gingerbread Houses or the Exeter Town Hall for a magical display of over 50 decorated trees. Both of these events benefit the Chamber Children’s Fund, which helps to raise funds to provide warm clothing and bedding to local kids in need.
All events are free and are part of a four day “Ring in the Season” celebration in Exeter. Come, join the fun, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Update - Dec. 2, 2016
Gingerbread House Winners Announced!
The Chamber Children’s Fund wishes to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Gingerbread House Contest. We have over a dozen entries this year and the competition was fierce in several categories. Houses were judged on craftsmanship, originality, creativity, degree of difficulty and overall appearance. Ribbons were awarded in each of the six categories: Child, Youth Group, Adult, Family, Adult Group, and Professional.
In addition to the individual winners, the public voted for their favorite house during Holiday Open House on December 1st. The Camiere’s Christmas Cottage took home top honors as the “People’s Choice” Award winner and received $100 in Exeter Area Gift Certificates.
The Chamber Children’s Fund raises funds each year to provide warm winter clothing and bedding to needy children within the 10 communities the Chamber serves. The money is raised through generous donations from individual and area companies and through various fund-raisers such as the Gingerbread House Contest, Kandlepins for Kids, Festival of Trees, and our school campaigns called Kids Helping Kids. For more information contact Lynn Dow at the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce at (603) 772-2411 or to donate on line visit: www.firstgiving.com/ChamberChildrensFund.
Congratulations to all our winners!
Best in Show – “Camiere’s Christmas Cottage”
Best Theme – The Gordon Family
Child 1st Place – Lindberg Family
Child 2nd Place – Sawyer Camlin
Child 3rd Place – Kimberly Kady
Teen 1st Place – Abby Hafey
Teen 2nd Place – Madeline Lembo
Youth Group 1st Place – Troop 12652
Youth Group 2nd Place – Troop 12557
Adult Group 1st Place – “Best Friends”
Adult 1st Place – Wendy Kennish
Adult 2nd Place – Kathy Bloomberg
Family 1st Place – The Camiere Family
Family 2nd Place – The Beaulieu Family
Family 3rd Place – The Edwards Family
Images
Date and Time
Thursday Dec 1, 2016
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
Thursday, December 1, from 4 - 8 pm
Location
Exeter Bandstand
(Road will be closed from the Bandstand to Court Street)
Fees/Admission
FREE
Website
Contact Information
Lynn Dow 772-2411 x 112
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