The Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest tradition continues in 2020. Visitors can expect a delightful shopping experience with added seasonal activities to bolster Christmas cheer. While Santa and fireworks may have to wait for another year, the shopping will be dazzling and carefully planned outdoor activities – with built-in distancing – will boost the spirits for the Christmas season ahead.

Village shopping is the centerpiece of the weekend beginning Friday, Dec. 4. at 10 a.m. Candy canes and streamers will mark the doorways of participating shops where owners will be on hand to help shoppers find the right gifts with minimal stress. The Holiday Gift Shop at 75 Main St. will be a festive stop with its curated mix of artisan-created gifts, bountiful greens for the home, and specialized gardeners’ and other gifts.

Marketfest weekend will feature two raffles. In each participating shop, find tickets for a free raffle for dining. New this year, a Wiscasset in a Basket raffle will be a collection of items from the area – including a takeaway dinner for four from Sarah’s Café and an overnight stay at Cod Cove Inn – with a total value of about $500. Tickets for this raffle can be bought in the Holiday Gift Shop.

Wreaths Around the Holidays continues as a Marketfest highlight. Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) members are invited to adopt a blank wreath and make it magical. This year, the decorated wreaths will be on display outdoors on Village railings with People’s Choice voting through Sunday afternoon. The wreaths will be donated to Toys for Tots at the end of Marketfest. 

Carols on the Common is a new feature, inspired by COVID-19 safety regulations. On Friday from 1 to 2 p.m., First Congregational Church of Wiscasset’s organist, Linda Adams, plays live organ music which will be piped out to the Common where the impromptu chorus’ director, James Crowley of Sheepscot Valley Chorus, will lead community members in song. All participants must wear masks and socially distance across the expanse of the Common.  For those who must have carols and music of the season, come and sing your heart out!  

On Saturday, Dec. 5, shopping continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and later. Sarah’s Café offers a sit-down brunch from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with menu items like quiche, creamy potatoes, pancakes and mimosas. All regulations on mask-wearing and distancing will be followed. 

Another seasonal activity with built-in distancing, live ice carving, will take place Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. on Village sidewalks. Watch from a distance as the sculpture is carved with chainsaws and then lit from within. Finish the day with the traditional tree lighting on the Wiscasset Common, starting at 4:30p.m., and accompanied by another Carols on the Common with the public invited to sing along while masked, distanced, but together.

Sunday, Dec. 6, shopping, raffles, and Wreaths Around the Holidays continue in an exuberantly festooned Village. Sarah’s Café will host its sit-down brunch, 9:30 to 11 a.m., while the ice sculpture on view outdoors marks the season.

For event details, raffle locations and other information, go to www.wiscassetholidaymarketfest.com  and browse the calendar. Wiscasset Holiday Marketfest is a partnership event of Wiscasset Creative Alliance and WACC. Major sponsors to date are Carl M.P. Larrabee Agency, Carriage House Gardens, First National Bank, Red’s Eats and Wiscasset Ford.  FMI: ludroby@verizon.net