Merry Millersburg weekend brings holiday cheer to Historic Downtown and Victorian House

One of the true joys of celebrating the Christmas season is getting to bask in the glow and aura of Holmes County’s many towns and villages that adorn their streets with decorations and see their businesses gear up to welcome locals and visitors.

Historic Downtown Millersburg is set to do that very thing as it presents Merry Millersburg weekend Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15.

“The purpose is to create a fun holiday experience for the whole family that really creates a nostalgic sense of Christmas joy for people,” said Taylor Sigler, HDM executive director.

One of the Christmas joys is the merchants participating in the Christmas decorative window contest that invites the public to pick their favorite seasonal window display. Sigler said there will be both a Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice.

“It’s a time when our merchants can just be festive and creative and really set the mood for Christmas season in downtown,” Sigler said.

Shops and restaurants on Main Street in Historic Downtown Millersburg will host Christmas open house events throughout the weekend, and the Millersburg Lions Club will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the courthouse lawn Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. That time will be filled with live music by the West Holmes Chamber Choir and free hot chocolate.

On Saturday HDM will be filled with Christmas cheer as historically inspired characters from the Holmes County Historical Society will return downtown, bringing festive cheer as they greet and converse with the public from 1-4 p.m.

“We call our characters Merry Millersburg ambassadors, and they will be adorned in historical costumes, walking about town, mingling with people, and sharing information about Historic Downtown Millersburg’s history, the buildings, and creating some good old-fashioned goodwill,” said Mark Boley, Holmes County Historical Society director.

Meanwhile, the many store owners will present plenty of Christmas cheer on their own as they provide a warm place to usher in the Christmas shopping season with some great deals.

“One of the goals of this event is to encourage people to shop local during the Christmas shopping season,” Sigler said. “We have an incredible downtown business community, and it’s important for us to continue to support them by shopping local so we can keep HDM vibrant.”

Those visiting HDM that day also will want to make their way north to the Victorian House Museum Christmas Open House, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on the front porch from 2-4 p.m.

In addition, the Victorian House will be open special hours from 4-9 p.m., where patrons can visit both the Victorian House Museum and the Chris Sieverdes Millersburg Glass Museum for $5 per person, with children under 12 free.

“This will be an ideal time for people enjoying downtown Millersburg to have a meal in town and then slide out here to tour both the Victorian House and the Glass Museum,” Boley said. “We will be adorned in Christmas décor, and the place looks sensational.”

One new feature people will want to check out while there is the new glass display case in the Glass Museum that features all four of the Millersburg Glass People’s Vases. According to Boley, the new display case was specially built to showcase the beauty of these rare collectible pieces.

Another reason to visit will be the book-signing opportunity in the Castle Club next to the Victorian House, where the three authors of the new Victorian House tour book, “Step Into the Past,” will be available.

Boley said there will be cookies and coffee, and more Christmas cheer awaits, along with a special opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the newly printed book. Authors Carmen Camacho, Melissa Patrick and Mary Tipton will be there to sign and chat with the public.

“It should be a great time to relax, socialize and share time with the authors while exploring the museums, and we are excited about sharing the weekend with Historic Downtown Millersburg,” Boley said.

The weekend should be a way to enhance the seasonal spirit and joy that come with every small-town community during the holidays.