FALMOUTH — The town is set to ring in the holiday season with its annual Very Merry Falmouth celebration next weekend.

But this year the event will take on special meaning because it will also launch a year-long celebration of the town’s 300th anniversary.

Several new events have been added to Very Merry Falmouth to commemorate the tercentennial, including a fireworks display and a Merry Mix and Mingle party, both planned for Friday, Dec. 1.

Darcy Sherr, president of the Falmouth/Cumberland Community Chamber, said combining Very Merry Falmouth with the 300th is important because “our friends, neighbors and businesses are the cornerstone and the heart of our past, present and future.”

Erin Cadigan, Falmouth’s tercentennial coordinator, agreed and said that’s one reason why it made sense to have the Very Merry Falmouth event “bookend our 300th anniversary with our kick-off this year and our closing ceremonies (in) 2018.”

Along with the fireworks display, Cadigan said during Very Merry Falmouth the Tercentennial Committee also plans to launch a traveling history exhibit, entitled “The Story of Falmouth,” which will be on display in the event tent on Route 1.

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In addition, she said, Falmouth300 spirit gear will also be available in the event tent on both Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2.

“This is a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done, while showing some community spirit and supporting our 300th-anniversary commemoration,” Cadigan said.

Another new fun event will be the Ugly Sweater 5K on Saturday morning that will also include the Merry Mile Fun Run.

“Awards will be given for ugliest sweaters, so participants are encouraged to go really ugly,” Cadigan said.

Overall, she said, “We see this as a great opportunity to celebrate our community. (Very Merry Falmouth) has grown over the years to become a true community event with something for everyone to enjoy.”

“Falmouth is a diverse community and spread out geographically over a large area, (so) events such as this foster community spirit and allow us all to come together to celebrate our hometown in a fun and engaging way,” Cadigan said.

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“We encourage residents to come out, shop local, and patronize the business community. We are also supporting a great cause in the Falmouth Memorial Library, which is an important pillar in the Falmouth community.”

Along with encouraging residents to come out and have fun with their neighbors, Cadigan said volunteers are still needed to help at various events. Those interested in helping out can go to the event website at verymerryfalmouth.com.

At its meeting on Nov. 13, the Town Council passed a resolution officially naming 2018 as Falmouth’s Tercentennial Year.

“(The Council) celebrates with all residents this opportunity to learn about and appreciate the history of our hometown, to explore the many resources Falmouth offers us every day, and to become active participants in Falmouth’s future,” the resolution said in part.

Here’s the schedule of events for Very Merry Falmouth:

• Thursday, Nov. 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Community tree lighting at Village Park, includes cookie decorating, crafts, refreshments and a visit from Santa.

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• Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., Falmouth 300th fireworks sponsored by Tyler Technologies. The fireworks will be launched from Legion Fields on Depot Road.

• Friday, Dec. 1, 6:30-9 p.m., Family-friendly Merry Mix and Mingle in the event tent. Food provided by Ricetta’s and live music from local ’90s cover band Hello Newman.

• Saturday, Dec. 2, 8-11 a.m., Very Merry Morning at the Mason-Motz Activity Center. Holiday activities, snacks, crafts, and movies offered by Falmouth Corner Preschool. Preregistration required.

• Saturday, Dec. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Annual Christmas Fair at Foreside Community Church.

• Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sparkle Fair at the Church of St. Mary.

• Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m., Ugly Sweater 5K and Merry Mile Fun Run.

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• Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Very Merry Rudolph Festival at the Mason-Motz Activity Center. Preregistration required.

• Saturday, Dec. 2, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Hot-in-a-Pot Cook-off featuring local restaurants. Attendees are asked to contribute nonperishable goods to the Falmouth Food Pantry.

Also throughout the day Dec. 2, Segway Santa and his elves will be cruising Route 1 and free horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered.

Kate Irish Collins can be reached at 710-2336 or kcollins@theforecaster.net. Follow Kate on Twitter: @KIrishCollins.

Santa will make a special appearance during this year’s Very Merry Falmouth holiday celebration. He will be at the community tree lighting on Nov. 30 and riding a Segway up and down Route 1 during the day on Dec. 2.


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