The light parade starts at Rotary Park on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015.
“We’re doing the tree lighting around 5:15,” said Karralena Castaway, vice president and CEO of the Aroostook Paranormal Investigation Society. Castaway is responsible for working with the Recreation Department and assisting in the organization of the upcoming holiday events.
“The Light Parade itself starts at 6 p.m.,” said Castaway. “We have a bus that takes kids there and back to the school. Usually we have them go to Rec Center; this year they’re going to the school cafeteria where they can sit on Santa’s lap and parents can take pictures.”
The Elf Pal Academy, a large event including programs for a number of different age groups, takes place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5th in the Limestone Rec Room. Kids who sign up for the academy can attend one of three “sessions” based on their age. The first session starts at 1:30 p.m. and kids from three to five years old are eligible to attend. This session features stories, games, crafts, letters to Santa, and North Pole Mix.
“North Pole Mix is kind of like Chex mix,” said Castaway, “but without the Chex. We use popcorn, since it looks like snowballs, then I go around and sprinkle edible glitter, or ‘magic dust.’”
The next session, geared toward 6- to 8-year-olds, starts at 2:30 p.m.. Kids will make Elf Academy booklets, graham cracker houses, and also write letters to Santa during this session.
The final session is for nine to twelve year olds and starts at 3:30 p.m. For this session, kids will play games, create Christmas wish lists, and make elf cupcakes.
“This year we’re fine tuning it so the little ones aren’t totally overwhelmed and the older ones aren’t terribly bored,” said Castaway about the decision to break the Elf Pal Academy into three parts. “All three groups have games and written activity and, at the end, they all receive a diploma signed by Santa and co-signed by me because i’m the Elf Coordinator. They also get a badge and special little gift to go home with them. I don’t tell them about the gifts ahead of time, so they have to figure out what it will be. but they always have fun doing them.”
The Elf Pal Academy has a limited number of openings, with a limit of 24 students per session. Kids, or their parents, need to contact Bill Tucker because there are waivers that need to be signed. Tucker can be reached at 325-4791 or 551-1204. Registration deadline is Nov. 27th. Admission price is $3 per child, which covers all snacks and activities.
“We also have a medieval reenactment group,” said Castaway, “which will have a Yule gathering at Limestone Rec on Dec. 12th between 1 and 3 p.m. We will have music, hand crafts, and medieval dance instruction. I’d like to have people RSVP by Dec. 10th at the latest so we know how much food to get for the feast.”
