Holiday Happenings Begin Friday Afternoon

This was submitted by the Andover Business Center Association.

This year's Holiday Happenings is full of events for both kids and adults this year, with music, stoytellers, a tree lighting, Sanata and more. The Andover Business Center Association organizes this event each year.

~ The 2011 Christmas tree is being sponsored by TD Bank and was purchased through Andover Youth Services annual tree and wreath event.  Watch for the installation early next week and the tree lighting is scheduled for 6:30pm on Friday, Dec 9^th during the Holiday Happenings annual stroll.

~Visit Old Town Hall plaza after the tree lighting to dance with Santa, have some hot chocolate and shop for your holiday greens at the AYS tree and wreath sale.

~Enterprise Bank , High Street at Elm Square, will be hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves to celebrate the evening in front of a roaring fire!  Starting at 5pm ~ families are encouraged to drop by for a visit.  The Treble Chorus of New England will be performing as well.

~Andover businesses will be open throughout downtown and surrounding business areas including Essex Street, Park Street, Punchard Avenue and North Main Street.  Explore your community for seasonal celebrations, craftspeople, music and gift giving ideas for everyone!

~Free Christian Church will be providing holiday choral singing on Main Street at the TD Bank courtyard.

~Krochmal Farms will be providing horse-drawn hayrides again this year. The wagons will load and unload in the Main Street parking lot down near Old Andover Village. www.krochmalfarms.com  There will be two wagons running from 5:30pm on for 3 full hours this year!

~Andover Historical Society (www.andoverhistoricalsociety.org) will have open doors and continue their month long holiday celebrations with their annual exhibit of over 20 decorated holiday trees (no fee for members and <12 yrs; $5 other visitors).

~ Andover Book Store, Main Street lot will be hosting the performance of A Celebration of Stories with Jack Apfelbaum, Jane Gossard, Nicolette Heavey, Sandy Hitchens, Jane LaChance, Susan Lenoe, and Lani Peterson ~ storytellers in front of a crackling fire!  This event is best suited for ages 7 and up.  However, all visitors are welcome to stop by the bookstore for a warm drink or plan a visit during the season.

~Andover Youth Services (AYS) will be hosting an Art Expo & Sale at Old Town Hall/Andover Townhouse from 5pm-9pm (no charge).  Exhibits include submissions from community artists and students.  If interested in exhibiting, please contact AYS at 978-623-8241.