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ach year the merchants, churches, townspeople and civic groups unite to present Spirit Of Christmas as a way to say “thank you” for your support during the year. Spirit of Christmas runs through Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11.

Friday, December 10

2 – 4p Pamlico Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) PAWS serves hot dogs, chips, and sodas in front of Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital. Courtesy of Dr. Sheri Hicks. 407 Broad St.

2 – 4p Nautical Wheelers Open House – Enjoy Hot Cider, hor d’oeuvres and a Christmas Cheer Wine Tasting. 411 Broad St.

3:30p Dusk Luminaria are set out and lit along the streets of Oriental. They will burn throughout the Spirit of Christmas.

4p Inland Waterway Provision Company The Provision Company will have a beer tasting at 4p. 305 Hodges St.

4 – 5p First Citizens Bank Town Mayor and Bank Manager Sally Belangia, along with the First Citizens staff as the serve “the best refreshments anywhere.” While you’re there, wish Sally a happy retirement, and bring along a donation for Toys for Tots, Pamlico Fishes & Loaves, or both. 409 Broad Street.

4:30p The New Bern Yacht Club Lights up the Harbor The New Bern Yacht Club docks at Oriental Marina, decorating their vessels with lights for the Spirit of Christmas. Hodges Street at the harbor.

5p Lighted Kayak Parade & Star Lighting. A flotilla of lighted kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and unmotorized dinghies leave the Wildlife Ramp at 5p and paddles into Oriental Harbor. The star is lit at town dock #1 on Hodges St. directly after.

6p(ish) Lighting of the Tree of Names and Lights & Light Up Oriental Contest Winners. Directly after the lighting of the star, take a walk down the riverfront to Lou Mac Park for the lighting of the Tree of Names and Lights. The winners of the Light Up Oriental Contest will also be announced. Lou Mac Park is at Freemason Street and South Ave.

6-8p New Village Brewery Forth Street bands debut performance (Eric Pittman, Seth Smith, Joe Starr and Jake Ross).

7p Holiday Lip Sync at The Silos. Join the Pamlico Arts Society at The Silos for an evening of holiday entertainment. Refreshments available for purchase. 1111 Broad Street Extension.

Saturday, December 11

8a – 11a Farmer’s Market Get your holiday shopping done early with local produce, freshly baked good, jams & jellies, fresh Christmas greenery, and fine arts & crafts. Along Hodges Street in front of Garland Fulcher Seafood. 301 Hodges St.

10a – all day Nautical Wheelers Hot Cider, Snacks and Treats all day. Parade Seating in the bright colored Polywood Chairs. 411 Broad St.

10a – 2p Serendipity Spa Candles, handmade soaps and jewelry, cards, wine tumblers, etc. Pick up a relaxing gift or two – including a gift certificate – for the holidays. 402 Hodges St.

10:30a – 1p Village Hardware Get your hot mulled cider from the men of Village Hardware. 804 Broad St across from the Post Office.

11a – 3p Pamlico Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) PAWS is on the porch of Oriental Town Hall serving up Hot Chili. 507 Church St.

11a – 1p Marsha’s Cottage Open House Enjoy the holiday specials and music from Allan Vick (of Beach, Boogie & Blues) on the porch. Find a great gift or get them a great gift certificate at Marsha’s. 204 Wall St.

11a – 2p Fishes & Loaves food pantry & Santa Donate two cans of food and get a picture with Santa. At Marsha’s Cottage at 204 Wall St.

11:30a – 3:30p Gingerbread House Contest Visit Brantley’s Restaurant to see the entries in this year’s Gingerbread House Contest. Vote for your favorite. Kids will have the chance to decorate their own gingerbread house, too. Awards announced at 3:30p. 900 Broad St.

11:30a – 3p The Village Gallery Enjoy the musical talents of Alisa Mike Evans while you browse the gallery for that perfect gift, then take a break on the gallery porch to watch the parade. 300 Hodges St.

1p The Spirit of Christmas Parade Line up along Broad Street or Hodges Street to watch this year’s parade.

1 – 5p ArtWorks Oriental Visit ArtWorks Oriental for Chriskindlmarkt – the German Christmas Market – to search for gifts for friends or yourself. Fiber Sculpture Artist Jocelyn Welles will be on site to demonstrate how she makes her fiber creations. 518 Water Street by the bridge.

2 – 5p The New Village Brewery Hoff’n‘Finch perform holiday sing-along songs and tunes you forgot. 702 Broad St.

3:30p Oriental United Methodist Church The Children’t Theater Workshop performs a Live Nativity outside the church (weather permitting). 404 Freemason St.

4p Inland Waterway Provision Company Beer sampling at 4p. Stop by with your tackiest sweater for the Tackiest Holiday Sweater Contest. Take a shot at Nautical Trivia to get a discount on your next purchase. 305 Hodges St.

Dusk & the evening The Labyrinth Oriental United Church is lighting up The Labyrinth for evening walks and meditations. Walk the path with or without a written guided meditation. At Freemason St and South Ave, across from Lou Mac Park.

5:30 – 7p Harbor Sounds at Brantley’s Village Restaurant Enjoy Christmas songs in the back room of Brantley’s. 900 Broad St.

7p The Pamlico Chorale The Pamlico Chorale performs under the direction of Reba Tiller at Oriental United Methodist Church. 404 Freemason St.

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It takes a lot to organize the events for Spirit of Christmas, and much of it is done through donations – both in time and money. If you would like to make a financial donation to The Spirit of Christmas (to help pay for items like luminaria candles and the tree for the Tree of Names and Lights), you can give your donation to the Head Elf herself, Marsha Paplham, at Marsha’s Cottage, 204 Wall St. Checks can be made out to The Spirit of Christmas.

Posted Thursday December 9, 2021 by Allison DeWeese