Christmas Trees on display at the 2004 Vermont Holiday Festival

Christmas Trees on display at the 2004 Vermont Holiday Festival

With the return of skiing and riding at Killington for the 2005/2006 season imminent, and the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend in sight, Killington businesses are also deep into preparation for the return of the Vermont Holiday Festival in early December. The festival is a weekend event, scheduled this year from December 8th through December 11th. Businesses in Killington are busy preparing to participate in the Festival of Trees at the Killington Grand Hotel, considered by many to be the highlight of the weekend. Many Killington businesses donate and decorate Christmas Trees to be displayed at the event. (My partner, Mary, is already plotting with several of our employees to design the tree to be displayed by Birch Ridge at the festival.) Key elements of the festival include Santa's workshop and horse drawn sleigh rides, live reindeer, and special story readings. Once again the year, the popular White Lights Festival will also return. Businesses and residences in Killington will be aglow in the evening with light displays on many properties.

Admission to the festival is $5 for adults; children ages 12 and under are free. Admission includes entrance to the Festival plus free sleigh rides, hot chocolate and cider. In addition festival goers may purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win their favorite tree. A drawing will be held on Saturday night for each tree, and the random winner will have the opportunity to take home a completely decorated Vermont Christmas tree. Guests may purchase tickets throughout the weekend to boost their chances of winning. All proceeds will go to local charities in the Killington area. For more information, a weekend schedule of events or for reservations, visit vermontholidayfestival.com or email info@vermonthholidayfestival.com