“Every inch of this place gets decorated in Christmas, it looks like an explosion of Christmas,” said Director of Marketing Gina Marino. “The day after Thanksgiving we take [all of the fall decorations] down and we start fully decorating for Christmas.”
“Milleridge is very family-oriented, so it really brings all the families here; it’s something for the kids to do,” Marino said. “We try to do something every holiday. We really just focus on creating memories and traditions.”
Although primarily geared toward children, it seems that childhood doesn’t ever end when it comes to enjoying riotous Christmas decorations and activities. It’s heartwarming for all ages.
Younger children can enjoy visits with Santa and the Grinch ,a ride on the Polar Express train, bouncing castles and inflatables, escaping from Santa’s cabin and surprise characters popping up al over the village. Of course, there will be no shortage of sweets and treats.
The older kids and couples can enjoy the offered activities, browse the shops, which will remain open during the Christmas village hours, and simply take in the Christmas cheer the village provides.
Parents tend to get involved with the decorative activities as Marino explained how children usually favor the craftier offerings.
“I think they really do like the ornament and cookie decorating because they can sit down and we make it look like Santa’s workshop and it’s really cute in there and the parents can sit with them,” she said. “You just get in the spirit and it’s really fun, so it’s good for the whole family.”
There will also be a display of Hank Jorgensen’s detailed, handmade Christmas decorations. Jorgensen’s family donated his creations to Milleridge after his passing last year, and setting everything up has quickly become a Christmas village tradition.
“It’s super old, but it’s all crazy detailed and in working condition and then there’s all these things that move and trains and lights; it’s a whole insane setup that we now do as our tradition,” Marino described.
“The [Jorgensen] family comes and it’s very emotional and it’s so much fun to watch and create.”
Walking around and enjoying the scene is free of charge, but expect to incur a small charge for each activity.
There is also a restaurant on site, serving classic American cuisine, coupled with special seasonal offerings for over 80 years, served in a fireplace-adorned Colonial home.
Holiday events, November 25 to December 24. See poster above for hours.
