In Vineyard Haven, there’s no need to dream of a white Christmas.
Main street was alive with shoppers, lights and snowmakers Thursday night, at the town’s first Winter Wonderland of the season. Part of Vineyard Haven’s “‘Tis the Season” festivities, the Winter Wonderland night featured extended shopping hours for businesses.
“The night ones are just nice to have something going on,” said Sarah York, president of the Vineyard Haven Business Association.
Other events throughout the month include two visits by Santa on Dec. 12 and 19 and a second Winter Wonderland on Dec. 16.
Ms. York said Main street holiday festivities have been going on for over a decade, but the idea to sprinkle snow in front of shops was born in the pandemic.
“The whole thing was the drive-through town and it’ll be snowing,” she said, adding it was an event that didn’t require people to get out of their cars.
This year, Ms. York said, it’s complemented by a renewed sense of security in walking around downtown and in-person shopping.
Next Winter Wonderland in Vineyard Haven is Dec. 16
— Mark Alan Lovewell
“We don’t have the same level of fear [as] last year,” Ms. York said. “People know that outside is safe.”
And families took advantage of the night’s outdoor activities, including kids taking photos in cutouts of familiar favorite holiday characters. But for many, the highlight of the night was the snow. Brothers Leo and Max Greenstein returned again and again to a snowmaker on the corner of Union and Main streets. They said playing in the snow was “really, really fun.”
“I thought it would be fun for the kids,” said Michelle Ellwood, who brought the Greenstein boys downtown. “Little did I know I’d get covered in fake snow.”
The snow downtown in Vineyard Haven may have been fake, but the holiday cheer was real.
