GREENFIELD — As snow covered Main Street, holiday activities drew people to the Pushkin Gallery, the Hive, Hawks & Reed and other places throughout downtown as part of the annual Jinglefest — kicking off a weekend of activities in the city known as the Holiday Spectacular.
In addition to the lighting of the tree at Veteran’s Mall, string players from ArtSpace performing in the window at 281 Main St., and a pop-up market at the Pushkin Gallery — this year marked the last year that Santa would go to Wilson’s Department store and the first and last time the Festival of Trees would be in the department store as well.
Rebecca Kern and her daughter, Cora Kern, 7, were first-timers to the Festival of Trees on the third floor in Wilson’s.
“It was a unique collection of trees,” Rebecca Kern said. “There were a lot of trees from local businesses, which is great. It’s beautiful and it’s quite a showing there. I think it’s fitting — and a little sad — that it’s in Wilson’s on their last year here.”
The Festival of Trees and seeing the Christmas tree light up at Veterans Mall was the highlight of the day for Cora Kern.
“There was a treasure hunt (at the Festival of Trees) and I won a candy cane in Wilson’s,” Cora Kern said. “I spoke with Santa and whispered what I wanted for Christmas.”
Shelburne residents Sandy and Donna Peardon came to take a photo with Santa with their daughter Issa Peardon, as their first stop during Jinglefest.
Donna Peardon said they went because of the number of activities downtown.
Sandy Peardon said they planned on going to several locations.
“This is our first time coming to Jinglefest,” he said. “We plan to do some shopping, grab some food and see the Peanuts movie. I have fond memories of the Peanuts, now I’m going to see it with my daughter.”
Josianna Martini of Greenfield said this was her second year at Jinglefest with her two children, Theo and Zeda Martini. She was excited to see the Peanuts movie at the Greenfield Garden Cinemas as well.
“I stopped at the YMCA then went to Artspace to see the string players in the window, then go to the movie and go home,” Martini said. “It’s great to have this for the community to show the vibrancy that exists here. I wish we had things like this more often.”
Reach Melina Bourdeau at mbourdeau@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.