Moonlight Magic in the Village of Shelburne Falls
Friday, November 27th, 2009

Moonlight Magic 2008 (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

Moonlight Magic is a community tradition held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving coinciding with the annual “Holiday Lighting of the Village” in Shelburne Falls, MA. Many special features add to the traditional festive evening of family fun and holiday spirit in this classic New England village on the Mohawk Trail. The streets are filled with luminary candles, caroling, sidewalk sales, art events and craft demonstrations; Vendor tables are set along the sidewalks with local non-profit group’s holiday wreaths, baked goods and crafts; Live music and roving performers will be present on both sides of the river throughout the evening.; and Stores, galleries and restaurants stay open late for special holiday promotions.

The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum will be open too. This will be a rare opportunity to ride the brightly lit and beautifully restored Trolley No. 10 after dark. While you wait for the Trolley, warm up by the potbelly stove and enjoy a cup of warm cider in the museum’s classic restored wooden caboose.  Take the Trolley to the Museum’s visitor center for interesting historic period displays of life in the area one hundred years ago. The kids will love the operating displays of toy trains.

Mole Hollow Candle Company, a local candle company, provides 1500 luminary candles to line the village streets and sidewalks. The town lights up about 4:45 pm with the help of many volunteers. Bridge Street, the main thoroughfare, will become a pedestrian walkway to allow space for street performers and holiday strollers.  Singing and instrumental groups will perform about town.

There will be family fun and children’s activities too, such as cookie decorating, ornament making, and candle dipping.