By Greg Ellison

(Dec. 2, 2021) Berlin will host a wealth of Christmas events on Saturday, starting with Buckingham Presbyterian Church’s “Grinch Fest” at 9 a.m. and concluding with a “Holiday Cocktail Open House” at the Taylor House Museum beginning at 5 p.m.

From 9 a.m. until noon, Buckingham Presbyterian will stage its “Holiday Grinch Fest,” with free crafts, donuts and juice for children at its 20 S. Main St. location.

In addition to a free hot chocolate booth, breakfast sandwiches will be available to purchase.

Craftspeople will be on hand to provide unique gift selections, and face painting will be available for kids.

All funds raised will be used to assist community members in need during the holidays, and to purchase supplies for the Samaritan Shelter.

Next up, Stevenson United Methodist Church will hold its Christmas Bazaar from noon until 2 p.m. at its 123 N. Main St. location.

Guests can peruse items from vendors such as Kork’s Corner Crafts, Velda Creations, On What Grounds, Mary Kay, Norwex, Doterra, Usbourne Books, Thirty-One, Scentsy, Pampered Chef, Just Saying, Jabb’s Seasonings, Art by Kaylyn and Homemade Soups.

Fresh baked goods will be available to purchase, along with cookbooks to replicate culinary delights at home.

Those in need of more substantive nourishment can also purchase vegetable beef soup and pulled pork sandwiches.

In addition to a silent auction, event organizers will provide a “white elephant table” for additional shopping options.

Also on Saturday, Berlin’s Merry Marketplace will take place form 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Merry Marketplace will operate on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19.

Hot chocolate will be available, with proceeds being used to support Berlin nonprofits.

During Merry Marketplace, the Welcome Center parking lot will be transformed into a holiday village that will include a “Kringle Kottage” plus artisans and food vendors.

Bob Palladino will provide live music and Berlin Commons will be vending hot cider and mead.

No-cost horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also, kids can send a letter to Santa and receive a letter back with a coupon for a treat. North pole-bound correspondence can be dropped off at a special holiday mailbox located inside the vestibule of the Berlin Welcome Center.

The festivities on Saturday in Berlin wind up with a “Holiday Cocktail Open House” at the Taylor House Museum from 5-7 p.m.

Heather Nottingham, with the Taylor House Museum, said the open house is a revised version of a previous classical music event.

“In the past, we sold tickets,” she said.

The reimagined event on Saturday is free to attend with a violin and cello duo providing background music.

Open house attendees can nibble small bite selections donated by Baked Desserts and sip adult beverages while listening to music and taking a self-guided tour of the museum.

“We’re trying to loosen it up a little bit,” she said.

Nottingham said the open house would provide a prefect segue to dinner at one of Berlin’s numerous restaurants.

“We’re trying to get people to take a look at the museum and return later,” she said.