Holiday happenings in Caribou, Limestone

Folks looking to have a holly, jolly time this holiday season can look outside their own decked halls, as there are plenty of festive activities in the Caribou/Limestone area to welcome the season.    The fun starts on Saturday, Nov. 30 when the Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual Light Parade. This year’s theme is “Under the Christmas Tree” and all are welcome to enter their own holiday float for a Christmassy trip down Main Street in Limestone. The parade gets under way at 6 p.m., but participants can begin lining up their entries at 5:15 at the Limestone Community School; floats and festive vehicles will be judge at 5:30 p.m. so that the winners can carry their trophies with them through the parade. Should the weather decide to rain instead of snow, the parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 1, at the same time.
Following the Holiday Light Parade, kids can hop on board the Santa Express — a holiday decorated bus — for a drive back up to the Limestone Recreation Department; once back at the rec, youths can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and have their photo taken. Caroling will also be held at the Rotary Park in downtown Limestone, starting at 5:30. Hot cocoa and snacks will be available to raise funds for the Limestone Project Grad 2013.
Santa will be in Caribou on Friday, Dec. 6 for the annual Tree Lighting and Santa’s Workshop and, thanks to the planning of Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce directors, Santa will have more fanfare than ever with a Snowman Parade accompanying him from the Nylander Museum to the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6, with lineup beginning at 5:15 p.m. Though it is a Snowman Parade, any sort of seasonally themed float and decorations will fit in just fine.
From 6-8 p.m. at the Wellness Center, area youths will once again have the have the opportunity to decorate gingerbread houses. There are 200 confectionary homes available to be slathered with icing and candy and participants need to reserve their gingerbread house in advance by calling 493-4224.
For those who just can’t get enough sugary decoration, the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce will be simultaneously hosting cookie decorating as well as ornament making and other activities. Santa will be settling in front of the fireplace at the rec for a meet and greet with youths and photo opportunities. Gift bags will be available, as well as door prizes. For additional information about the parade or Santa’s Workshop on Dec. 6, call 498-6156.
The following Saturday, Santa will stop by the Limestone Town Office to have lunch with all the area children; lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and youths will also have an opportunity to take a photo with Santa and tell them what’s on their wish list. Santa will also be visiting a lunch sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the American Legion on Sweden Street in Caribou. Parents and guardians are welcome to bring their cameras to take photos of their children with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the annual sled full of toys raffle will also be conducted after lunch. Lunch is available for $2.