York Notebook: Christmas is Coming, and So Is the Polar Express

By Sam Thrift Monday, November 28, 2011

The end of Thanksgiving means the beginning of Christmas Season, and York County already has events lined up. See Santa and join in on holiday festivities at the Yorktown Christmas Market or watch the Polar Express at Tabb Library. If you aren’t quite ready for the holidays yet, there is also an opportunity to get a closer look at the stars in New Quarter Park.

Yorktown Christmas Market
The 6th Annual Yorktown Christmas Market is this Saturday, with different holiday-themed events for the whole family.

Located on historic Main Street, the Christmas Market will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will include: arts and crafts vendors, living history exhibits, strolling entertainment, classic cars, chef demonstrations, roasted chestnuts and a chance to see Santa Claus.

Free transportation will be available for the Christmas Market. The Yorktown trolley will run its normal route, stopping at several locations throughout town.

For directions to Yorktown and a more detailed schedule of events for the holiday season, call 890-3500 or visit www.visityorktown.org.

Christmas at the Library
All aboard the Polar Express! Tabb Library is inviting York residents to come in their coziest pajamas and watch “The Polar Express” at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the library.

Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the even, which is recommended for ages five and up. Registration is not required.

For more information contact the Yorktown Library at 890-3377, the Tabb Library at 890-5100 or visit the library’s website at www.yorkcounty.gov/library.

New Quarter Park Events
Local florist Arlene Williams will help anyone who is in the holiday spirit make holiday decorations from pine, boxwood, apples and other materials this Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. at New Quarter Park.

The park’s monthly Walk and Talk program has been moved to 2 p.m. so locals can attend the Williamsburg Christmas Parade before coming to the park for a cup of hot cider and to learn how to fashion eighteenth-century-style wreaths and swags.

Later that day, join the NASA/Langley Exchange Skywatcher’s astronomy club at 6 p.m. to set up their telescopes and view the stars in the park. In addition to the moon, the group expects to see Uranus and Jupiter.

Visitors are welcome to arrive 30 minutes early, to talk to the astronomers about astronomy and their telescopes before it is fully dark.