2bnMaine

Wow, look at all the great stuff to do when Santa comes to Camden’s 22nd Annual Christmas by the Sea–

>>Thursday,  December 4 

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm -Open house and ‘Ornaments for Animals’ fundraiser at Prism Glass Gallery and the Gallery Café. 25% of all ornament sales and all proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to the Camden-Rockport-Animal Rescue League. 297 Commercial St. (Rt.1), Rockport. 230-0061 

>>Friday, December 5

10:00 am to 5:00 pm - Let it Snow Gift Fair at the Camden Snow Bowl.  A classic holiday gift fair featuring quality local products just for children. The juried vendors will be selling gorgeous, whimsical, decorative, and practical gifts of all kinds. The fair will also feature great stocking stuffer certificates for all of your favorite  Snow Bowl activities, as well as plenty of other holiday treats. Don’t miss the raffle for a one-of-a- kind gingerbread Snow Bowl lodge!

12:15 pm – Organ and harp music of the season by Sheldon Gaard and guests First Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden

4:30 pm—Santa arrives in West Rockport at Midcoast Recreation Center, Rt. 90, W. Rockport

5:00 pm to 6:30 pm—Opening Reception, Camden Public Library. Bring new or like new hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves to decorate the Hat & Mitten Tree. Holiday selections performed by Camden Hills Regional High School vocal and instrumental students.

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Join us for the opening reception of “In the Palm of Your Hand,” an exhibition featuring exquisite wooden vessels, boxes, ornaments, and sculptures perfect for holiday gift giving!  Messler Gallery, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, 25 Mill Street, Rockport.  207-594-5611, Gallery hours: M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm. 

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Portraits with Santa at Catherine Hellman Photography Studio.  Join us for a visit and we will take your child’s portrait with Santa.  You will receive 1 4×6 color print for FREE!  All portraits will go on our web site gallery and will be available for purchase.  Packages available for $10, $15 and $20.  You can even have Holiday Cards made from them!  4 Public Landing, Camden.  

6:00 pm—Christmas by the Sea Parade begins at Cedar Crest Motel, Rt. 1, Camden. Come and see what’s new as the parade travels through town to the tree lighting!  

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm—Holiday Open House at Camden National Bank with horse & carriage rides at the Chestnut Street entrance. Warm up inside with cookies & hot cocoa and holiday music by the Windjammer Barber Shop Chorus. Camden National Bank, 2 Elm St., Camden. 236-8821

6 pm to 8 pm—Celebration on Ice and Skate with Santa—presented by the Skating Club of Maine feature national competition medalists Una Donegan & Andrew Corda Followed by skating for the entire family with Santa! Tickets: Adults 10, Students $5, Family $25 at Midcoast Recreation Center Rt. 90 Info : 236-9400

7:00 pm—Santa presides at the Community Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Harbor Park. Hot drinks provided by Camden Lions Club. Caroling led by the CHRHS Choir.

7:00 pm – Organ and harp music of the season by Sheldon Gaard and guests First Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden

7:30 pm—The Nutcracker, Atlantic Ballet Company’s full length version of this magical Holiday production.  Tickets $18 adults, $14 children 12 & under/seniors. Available at HAV II, Wild Rufus Records, (Camden) The Reading Corner, (Rockland) Fertile Mind Bookstore, (Belfast) Personal Bookshop (Thomaston).  Camden OperaHouse 29 Elm St., Camden. 236-7963

All Day Until 10 pm—Holiday shopping EXTRAVAGANZA at downtown Camden shops! 

>>Saturday, December 6

8 am to 12 pm—The Rockport Garden Club invites you to the “Holly Berry Fair” at the Rockport Opera House, lower level. Featuring hand painted lobster buoys, hand crafted Christmas ornaments and gifts, baked goods, unique Granny’s attic items & door prizes. 6 Central St. Rockport. 236-7999

8:30 am – Frozen 5K Road Race.The course begins atop Mt. Battie, where the mountains meet the sea and continues to Camden Harbor.  The course will drop more than 770 feet!  This should make for a pretty fast pace.  The race takes place during the annual Christmas by The Sea celebration in Camden. Come for the race, then stay and enjoy all of the fun, family friendly activities all weekend! First 50 entries get a T shirt $15 entry fee until 12/1, $20 after that. Registrations will be accepted day of the race.  Brought to you by the Camden Rockport Lincolnville Chamber, West Bay Rotary and Puma please e-mail us at tomchester@tidewater.net or call us at 207- 975-0134.

9:00 am to 12 pm - Beltie Holiday at Aldermere Farm. Have your picture taken with a real Belted Galloway calf and make a keepsake Beltie ornament. $5 per child. Hot Chocolate provided. Bake sale by 4-H club members to support 4-H activities. Youth should be accompanied by an adult. Aldermere Farm 70 Russell Ave., Rockport. 236- 2739. www.aldermere.org.

9:00 am to 11:00 am—The 6th Annual Camden Fire Department Christmas Toy Drop Off. Help a child in need. Drop off unwrapped gifts Nov 23-Dec 12. Join us Dec. 6 for a Cocoa and Cookie reception. Camden Fire Department, Washington St., Camden. 593-9064

9 am to 2 pm—Holiday Craft Market & Open House at Windward Gardens. Join us for an exceptional craft sale, scrumptious holiday foods and live music for the season from Three Button Deluxe. Door prizes and raffles. 105 Mechanic St., Camden.  236- 4197

9:00 am to 2:00 pm—Holiday Craft Fair at Merry Gardens Estates. 87 John St. Camden 230-0618

9:30 am—Santa arrives by boat at Rockport Harbor! FREE photos with Santa at Rockport Marine made possible by photographer Mark Haskell & Maine Coast Photo.

9:30 am – 11:30 am – Decorate your own holiday cookie at the Children’s House Montessori School, 58 Elm Street, Camden. 236-2911. No charge.

10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Holiday Bazaar at Merryspring. A variety of plants, greens, wreaths, live arrangements and lots of gifts for holiday giving and decorating.  FMI www.merryspring.org or 236-2239.

10:00 am to 5:00 pm – The Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA), 162 Russell Avenue, Rockport, celebrates Christmas by the Sea with an Open House. Thefestivities will feature free admission all day, mulled cider, holiday cookies and treats, discounts on artful gifts in our Gallery Shop, and a special sale of Carroll Thayer Berry’s original woodcut prints (before prices rise in 2009). Come enjoy CMCA’s exhibitions and see why we are one of Maine’s leading contemporary art organizations. Be a part of art! Winter gallery hours: Thurs – Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun 1 – 5 pm. Visit www.cmcanow.org for more information.

10:30 am to 11:30 am “The Fiddle Group” performs the sounds of the season at the Camden Public Library. The group, including many students and parents from Ashwood Waldorf School, will entertain the crowds before Santa’s arrival.

10:00 am to 12:00 pm—The 4th Annual Camden Fire Department Christmas Toy Drop Off. Help a child in need. Drop off unwrapped gifts Nov 26-Dec 12. Join us Dec. 2 for a Cocoa and Cookie reception. 

10:00 am to 12:00 pm—Roving Carolers from CHRHS Chorale and Concert Choir stroll through downtown.

10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Let it Snow Gift Fair at the Camden Snow Bowl.  A classic holiday gift fair featuring quality local products just for children. The juried vendors will be selling gorgeous, whimsical, decorative, and practical gifts of all kinds. The fair will also feature great stocking stuffer certificates for all of your favorite  Snow Bowl activities, as well as plenty of other holiday treats. Don’t miss the raffle for a one-of-a-kind gingerbread Snow Bowl lodge!

11:00 am to 1:00 pm – Portraits with Santa at Catherine Hellman Photography Studio. Join us for a visit and we will take your child’s portrait with Santa.  You will receive 1 4×6 color print for FREE!  All portraits will go on our web site gallery and will be available for purchase.  Packages available for $10, $15 and $20.  4 Public Landing,Camden.  

11:00 am to 1:30 pm –  Hartstone Inn Brunch and Fashion Show featuring fashions from Leonard’s.  Seating is limited please call for Reservations 236-4259,  http://www.hartstoneinn.com

Noon—Santa arrives by Tug boat in Camden Harbor! Children’s Story Hour with Santa follows at the Library.

12:30 pm (or directly following Santa’s Story Hour) – The Upper Room Bell Ensemble Bell Choir of the Second Congregational Church of Warren, directed by Sue Wright will play festive holiday music. Camden Public Library. For info contact: 230-6628

1:00 pm—FREE photos with Santa at Teen Center, 10 Knowlton St., Camden, made possible by photographer Mark Haskell & Maine Coast Photo. Bring your holiday gifts to be wrapped! Donations to the Teen Center will be accepted.

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm—Roving Carolers from CHRHS Chorale and Concert Choir stroll through downtown. 

2 pm & 4 pm—Camden’s Premier Inns - Annual Christmas High Tea hosted at the Blackberry Inn, Camden. $25 per person. Musical Entertainment provided by Maine ProMusica.  Limited space, tickets available by calling the Blackberry Inn at 800-388-6000 or 236-6060.  Camden’s Premier Inns is a sponsor of Maine ProMusica’sHoliday Pops concert on December 20, 2008.

3:00 pm - The Nutcracker, Atlantic Ballet Company’s full length version of this magical Holiday production.  Tickets $18 adults, $14 children 12 & under/seniors. Available at HAV II, Wild Rufus Records, (Camden) The Reading Corner, (Rockland) Fertile Mind Bookstore, (Belfast) Personal Bookshop (Thomaston).  Camden Opera House 29 Elm St., Camden. 236-7963.

3:00 pm - Such is Life & Enjoy winter sports movies sponsored by Ragged Mt. Ski & Snowboard Club.  Bayview St. Cinema, Camden.  Donation of $5 accepted at door. FMI 236-8690.

3:00 pm to 5:00pm – Portraits with Santa at Catherine Hellman Photography Studio.  Join us for a visit and we will take your child’s portrait with Santa.  You will receive 1 4×6 color print for FREE!  All portraits will go on our web site gallery and will be available for purchase.  Packages available for $10, $15 and $20. 4 Public Landing, Camden.  

4:00 pm—Tree lighting, bonfire and sing along at Lincolnville Beach. All are welcome. Santa arrives by fire engine around 4:30 pm!

4 pm—5 pm Ringing in the Season a 5 choir bell concert.  Featuring the bell choirs from the Rockland Congregational Church, Rockland Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Warren Second Congregational Church,  Camden First Congregational Church & Penobscot Bay Ringers of Rockport. Free at the Camden First Congregational Church, Elm St. Camden. 230-6628.  Doors open at 3pm.  Free will donation to benefit AIO food bank will be done at the end of the concert.  

7:00pm – The 14-member Boston Brass Big Band perform holiday classics.  Strom Auditorium, Camden Hills Regional High School.  Most adult tickets $20, limited number of $8 youth (18 & under).  Tickets at Bay Chamber Concerts at (207) 236-2823 or baychamberconcerts.org.

>>Sunday, December 7

10:00 am to 12:00 pm – Portraits with Santa at Catherine HellmanPhotography Studio.  Join us for a visit and we will take your child’s portrait with Santa.  You will receive 1 4×6 color print for FREE!  All portraits will go on our web site gallery and will be available for purchase.  Packages available for $10, $15 and $20.  4 Public Landing, Camden.  

10:00 am to 3:00 pm – Holiday brunch at Prism Glass Gallery and the Gallery Cafe. Special Holiday Selections.  Last chance to bid on the ’Ornaments for Animals’ Silent Auction and buy ornaments that benefit the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League.  297 Commercial St. (Rt.1), Rockport.  230-0061 

1 pm to 4 pm— “Christmas at the Inns” Tour of bed & breakfasts and inns in Camden & Lincolnville. Open house at some of midcoast Maine’s loveliest B&B’s, decorated for the holidays. Free admission, donations suggested. Brochure available at any tour inn: Abigail’s B&B  236-2501, Belmont Inn 236-8053, Blackberry Inn-Elms B&B 236-6060, Blue Harbor House 236-3196, Camden Harbour Inn 236-4200, Camden Hideaway Inn, Camden Windward House 236-9656, Hartstone Inn 236-4259, Hawthorn Inn 236-8842, Inn at Camden Place 236-4616, Lord Camden Inn 236-4325 & Victorian Inn 236-3785.

3:00 pm - The Nutcracker, Atlantic Ballet Company’s full length version of this magical Holiday production.  Tickets $18 adults, $14 children 12 & under/seniors. Available at HAV II, Wild Rufus Records, (Camden) The Reading Corner, (Rockland) Fertile Mind Bookstore, (Belfast) Personal Bookshop (Thomaston).  Camden Opera House 29 Elm St., Camden. 236-7963

7:30 pm—20th Annual Holiday Concert with Anne Dodson & Friends at the First Congregational Church Sanctuary, 55 Elm St., Camden. Tickets: In advance,

10:00 am to 1:00 pm - Holiday Bazaar at Merryspring A variety of plants, greens, wreaths, live arrangements and lots of gifts for holiday giving and decorating. FMI www.merryspring.org or 236-2239. 

Many thanks to the sponsors:

• Holiday Tree –Tree donated by West Bay Rotary 
• Santa Dinner Sponsor — McMahon’s Knox Grille 
• Opening Reception — Bangor Saving 
• Hosted by the Camden Public Library
• Hat and Mitten Tree — The First Bancorp
• Santa’s Visit to W. Rockport — Cappy’s Chowder House 
• Santa’s Visit to Rockport Harbor — Bay Chamber Concerts 
• Santa’s Visit to Camden Harbor — New England Motor Works 
• Santa’s Visit to Lincolnville Beach — Lincolnville Business Group
• Santa’s Story Hour — Paolina’s Way  
• Hosted by the Camden Public Library
• Photos with Santa in Rockport Marine — Maine Media Workshop
• Photos with Santa in Camden / Teen Center — Key Bank
• Santa’s North Pole Lodge — Lord Camden Inn