Turkey Drop, Grand Illumination, Christmas Parade, Christmas Craft Fair, Breakfast with Santa highlight Perquimans holiday events

Turkey Drop, Grand Illumination, parade, Breakfast with Santa highlight Perquimans holiday events

Christmas Craft Fair and 5K run set for Dec. 3 at PCHS

By John Foley - Staff Writer

HERTFORD — With the arrival of cooler days and nearly frosty nights, the holiday season in Perquimans County can’t be too far off.

Soon the pumpkins will be pie and the street lights over Church Street in downtown Hertford will be dressed with holiday bows.

While festivities and events and parades highlight the holiday season, needs of community residents not as fortunate also will be at the forefront.

The Open Door of Perquimans County will hold its annual Turkey Drop Thanksgiving Food Collection at Hertford United Methodist Church in November. Donors can drop off frozen turkeys and Thanksgiving meal side items on Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Open Door will then distribute the food to families in the community who face food insecurity. Hertford United Methodist Church is located at 200 Dobbs St., Hertford.

Seeds of Success, the community organization that sponsors a number of youth initiatives addressing education, athletics, cultural awareness, self-esteem and life skills, will host a Thanksgiving Meal on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and a Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Downtown Hertford businesses will also be participating in a “Shop Local” event on Nov. 26 by offering special sales.

Then in December, the holiday festivities begin in full force.

On Friday, Dec. 2, Historic Hertford will sponsor Hertford’s Grand Illumination. The event, which includes the turning on of the

Historic Hertford Inc. will sponsor Hertford’s Grand Illumination on Friday, Dec. 2. The event, which includes the turning on of the town’s downtown Christmas lights at 6 p.m., will also feature curbside festivities, music and entertainment.

Photo courtesy Historic Hertford Inc. town’s downtown Christmas lights at 6 p.m., will also feature curbside festivities, music and entertainment.

The next day, Saturday, Dec. 3, is Hertford’s annual Christmas Parade. Sponsored by the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce, the parade begins at Perquimans County High School at 2 p.m. and will proceed downtown.

Community organizations are encouraged to participate by entering floats, firetrucks, tractors and marching groups. Of course, Santa Claus is also expected to be on hand.

Another highlight of the holiday season in Perquimans is the Christmas Craft Fair and 5K run at Perquimans High School on Saturday, Dec. 3. Organized by Amy Tinsley of the Dance Company of Hertford, the fair begins at 9 a.m. and will run until 1 p.m. It will offer artisan holiday crafts and a variety of food and activities for the kids. There also will be opportunities to have a photo snapped with Santa before he rides into town in the parade.

The 5K Rhythm Run is also scheduled for Dec. 3 and kicks off at 9 a.m. For more information on the fair or the run, contact Tinsley at 252-312-2595.

The Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual members dinner at the Crawfish Shack on Dec. 8, at 6 p.m., according to Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce Director Diane Cangemi.

For those looking to share a bit of Perquimans County history this holiday season, the Perquimans County Restoration Association will host its Colonial Christmas event on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. PCRA will also open its Holiday Gift Shop on Saturdays in November and again on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For those looking to have breakfast with Jolly St. Nick, Historic Hertford is sponsoring “Breakfast with Santa“ at 110 West Academy Street on Saturday, Dec. 17. There will be two sessions: from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children.

The Historic Hertford Building will also be the site of the Albemarle Community Orchestra’s concerts Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.