FARMINGTON – This year marks the 40th celebration of Chester Greenwood Day in downtown Farmington and the 30th year the Franklin County Polar Bear Club members will take their annual bracing dip into Clearwater Lake.
On Saturday, Dec. 3, the annual celebration of the Farmington native and earmuff inventor, Chester Greenwood will be held to commemorate the man credited with creating the first pair of “ear protectors” or earmuffs out of bits of wire and fur when he was 15 in 1873. While the state of Maine declared Dec. 21 to be “Chester Greenwood Day” in 1977, Farmington has in recent years held its celebrations, sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce,  on the first Saturday of December.
“Holiday Celebrations around the World” is the theme of this year’s event, which includes the annual parade, 5K walks/runs, chili and gingerbread house contests, the Farmington Historical Society’s open houses, craft fairs and the annual polar bear dip. A full schedule of events can be seen below.
The annual parade that features colorful floats, marching groups, bands and more all wearing the requisite pair of earmuffs, begins at 11 a.m. from W.G. Mallett School off Middle and Quebec streets. Line-up begins at 10 a.m. The parade travels through downtown.
This year marks the 30th year the Polar Bear Club members will take a bracing dip into chilly Clearwater Lake at Allen’s Mills in Industry. The inaugural polar bear dip was held in 1986 when 10 people jumped into Clearwater Lake on Chester Greenwood Day, which used to be held on the first day of winter. Ice, snow, rain, or a long walk into yet-to-be-frozen water, the Polar Bear Club members have never missed a year.
A new event this year is The Taste of Farmington. For $5, a Taste of Farmington Passport can be brought to participating eateries for a sample of what they have to offer from noon to 3 p.m. As the restaurants are visited and stamped, the passport can be dropped off at the Rotary Festival of Trees to be entered in a drawing for Chamber Bucks. Participating restaurants are Dunkin Donuts, Thai Smile & Sushi Restaurant, Tucks Ale House, The Homestead, The Roost, El Toro Food Truck, The Granary and Farmington House of Pizza. Passports can be purchased at the Chamber office or on Chester Greenwood Day at the Chamber information booth on The Pierce House lawn. Passports are limited.
Registration forms for the parade, chili contest and gingerbread house contest are available at the Chamber office or www.franklincountymaine.org. Chester Greenwood Day 40th Celebration long sleeve T-shirts and the Taste of Farmington passports are available for purchase now at the Chamber office at Walmart, 615 Wilton Road, Farmington. Visit the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce information booth on The Pierce House on Chester Greenwood Day for the long sleeve T-shirts, passports and schedule of events.
The schedule of events for Saturday, Dec. 3:
8 a.m.
Strut for Strays 5k Run & Dog Walk Race
Begins at 8 am, $20 registration fee, T-shirt for first 50 registrants. Awesome prizes for those who register from Longfellow’s Restaurant, Hannford, Minikins, Shelly’s Hometown Market, Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers and a grand prize drawing for one free night’s lodging and breakfast at the Comfort Inn Wilton! Register online at www.fcanimalshelter.org
8 a.m.
Chester Greenwood Day 5K Run/Walk
Registration time begins 8 a.m. at the large field adjacent to Prescott Field. Start time is at 9 a.m. and the trail is the perimeter of the field. Cost is $10. Proceeds go to the Maine Brain Aneurysm Awareness. FMI: MaureenMcCool1@gmail.com, or 778-0801.
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cookie Walk & White Elephant Sale
At Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, 110 Academy St. Farmington. Purchase a hand-decorated coffee can and fill it up with a variety of homemade cookies. Check out lightly-used Christmas decorations and other items for sale at the White Elephant Sale.
Coats for Kids
Drop off gently used coats at Franklin Savings Bank and Bangor Savings Bank and they’ll have it cleaned for another child to use beginning on Chester Greenwood Day and running through December.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Franklin County Arts & Crafts Association Annual Craft Fair at the University of Maine at Farmington Student Center, Farmington. Find the perfect locally-made gift from a huge assortment of arts, crafts and more.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Emblem Club 460 Craft Fair at the Farmington Elks Lodge. A great collection of vendors and items.
9 a.m. to noon
Hot Cocoa, Bar & Sand Art for Kids- Enjoy Hot Cocoa and make sand art crafts at Bangor Savings Bank.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Relay for Life Make-A-Craft table in front of Franklin Savings Bank. Kids can make crafts for $1. Relay bangle charm bracelets will be for sale for $25 with a new charm for 2017. A “kids only” shopping area with items for children to purchase for their families as gifts for the holidays will be located at 133 Broadway.
10 a.m.
Parade Line-Up at Mallett School in Farmington at the Quebec Street entrance. It’s free! Judging of floats will be conducted en route, so the crowd can plan to find a panel of local judges stationed outside the Franklin Savings Bank Loan Center on Main Street. Cash prizes will be awarded in two categories: Adult (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) and Youth Organization (1st and 2nd). Parade winners will be posted at the chili challenge in the gazebo at Meetinghouse Park. Please note candy throwing will be permitted by individuals walking along the parade route only – not from the floats themselves, for safety reasons. Pre-registration is not required but forms and event rules are posted online at www.franklincountymaine.org. Free and open to the public. This year’s theme is “Holiday Celebrations Around the World” so find a way to tie it in don’t forget to incorporate earmuffs onto each float, it’s required!
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Open Houses:
The Titcomb House, located at the corner of Academy and High Streets, will be open free-of-charge to the public. Members of the Historical Society will be present to give tours and will be selling fresh decorated wreaths. The Titcomb House will be festively decorated by Mt. Blue Area Garden Club.
The Octagon House, located at the corner of Perham and Broadway, will be open and filled with music Leanne Tinker. There will be vintage toys and trains for viewing. Book signing by author Guy Rioux of, The Franklin County Narrow Gauges – The Next Stop is Kingfield. A raffle will be held for floral arrangements from Riverside Greenhouse, Richards’ Florist and Robin’s Flower Pot. Freshly decorated wreaths for sale. A $5 donation is requested.
10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Festival of Trees will be held at the Granary Restaurant on Front Street with musical entertainment starting at 1 p.m. and continuing throughout the day. The raffle tree will be raffled at 6 p.m. The live auction will start at 6:30 p.m. with cash bar and refreshments. Proceeds go to local charities. All are welcome to attend.
11 a.m.
Parade begins, winding its way through downtown Farmington.
Flag raising ceremony will take place at the Franklin County Courthouse after the parade raising the Chester Greenwood flag.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
9th Annual Gingerbread House Contest. Entries may be dropped off at Bangor Savings Bank, Main Street, in downtown Farmington between 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. The gingerbread houses will be on display for public viewing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges and prizes awarded for kids (12 & under) and adult categories. This year’s theme is “Holiday Celebrations Around the World” so find a way to tie it in. Pre-registration required. Forms available online. Free and open to the public.
Chester Greenwood celebration cake will be served after the parade at Bangor Savings Bank.
11:30 a.m.
Luncheon at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, 110 Academy St., Farmington.
Noon
Free Showing of “A Christmas Story” at Narrow Gauge Cinemas.
Noon until 1 p.m. (While it lasts!)
Chili Challenge at the gazebo in Meetinghouse Park. Pre-register by contacting the Chamber. Free. Traveling trophy and Chamber Bucks awarded! Drop off your entry between 11:30-11:45 a.m. Come and vote for your favorite! Free and open to the public.
Noon to 3 p.m.
New this year is the “Taste of Farmington” event! Present your Taste of Farmington Passport to participating eateries and enjoy a sample of what they have to offer. Once you have visited the restaurants you can drop your passport off at the Rotary Festival of Trees to be entered in a drawing for Chamber Bucks!
Noon to 2 p.m.
“Coat & Cupboard” Open House offers a large selection of free gently-used coats, sweaters, hats, mittens, and blankets. A project of Old South church’s youth group, “Coat & Cupboard” is located in the rear of the Holman Mission House, 227 Main Street. We will be open Saturday, Dec. 3, noon to 2 p.m., and again Sunday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. We also welcome your donations of clean, warm outerwear!
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Open House at The Pierce House will have memorabilia pertaining to the Greenwoods on display celebrating its connection to the Greenwood family. Cookie decorating and old fashioned refreshments will be available.
3 p.m.
30th Annual Polar Bear Dip at the breakwater on Clearwater Lake, Industry. Members take an annual dip into the frigid Clearwater Lake in Industry. All dippers welcome!
3 to 5 p.m.
Santa Visit Franklin Savings Bank lawn, 198 Front Street, Santa will be listening to wishes from his sleigh. Be sure to bring your camera!
5 p.m.
“Itty Bitty” tree lighting With hot chocolate and popcorn at 198 Front Street. Sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank and Western Mountain Financial Services. A new living tree has replaced the previous cut variety, so, though it’s not very big, it will grow magnificently into its new role to light up our holidays for many years to come.
