Starry starry weekend: ‘The ultimate community event of all our events’

Whitney Kinshaw, 3, looks over some of the bird cards as her mother, Shelby, looks on at the Maple Street Mercantile in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend.

Whitney Kinshaw, 3, looks over some of the bird cards as her mother, Shelby, looks on at the Maple Street Mercantile in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend. GEOFF FORESTER photos / Monitor staff

Michael Foley from the Lions Club opens up to sell Christmas trees for the organization in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend.

Michael Foley from the Lions Club opens up to sell Christmas trees for the organization in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Whitney Kinshaw, 3, looks over some of the bird cards with her mother, Shelby, at the Maple Street Mercantile in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend.

Whitney Kinshaw, 3, looks over some of the bird cards with her mother, Shelby, at the Maple Street Mercantile in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Some of the Christmas items at the Maple Street Mercantile in downtown Contoocook.

Some of the Christmas items at the Maple Street Mercantile in downtown Contoocook. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Some of the Christmas items at the Contoocook Depot in downtown were a central part of the of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend on December 6, 7 and 8.

Some of the Christmas items at the Contoocook Depot in downtown were a central part of the of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend on December 6, 7 and 8. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Michael Foley from the Lions Club puts up the sign for selling Christmas trees for the organization in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend.

Michael Foley from the Lions Club puts up the sign for selling Christmas trees for the organization in downtown Contoocook on the first day of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

The Contoocook Depot in downtown was a central part of the of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend on December 6, 7 and 8.

The Contoocook Depot in downtown was a central part of the of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend on December 6, 7 and 8. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Shoppers look over Christmas item at the Contoocook Depot in downtown was a central part of the of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend on December 6, 7 and 8.

Shoppers look over Christmas item at the Contoocook Depot in downtown was a central part of the of the 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend on December 6, 7 and 8. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

A Christmas wreath on the door of a classic mobile home was the office for the tree sale by Lions Club in downtown Contoocook.

A Christmas wreath on the door of a classic mobile home was the office for the tree sale by Lions Club in downtown Contoocook. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

The gazebo with a Christmas tree in downtown Contoocook at the first day of 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend.

The gazebo with a Christmas tree in downtown Contoocook at the first day of 21st Annual Starry Starry Weekend. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

By GEOFF FORESTER and ARIANNA MacNEILL

Monitor staff

Published: 12-20-2024 12:57 PM

Modified: 12-23-2024 11:23 AM

During Starry Starry Weekend in Contoocook and Hopkinton villages, the holiday spirit was palpable.

Stretching from Friday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 8, the town drew many for shopping between artisan craft fairs and pop-up shops. Holiday music played as holiday lights decked out the villages.

“This is the ultimate community event of all our events,” said Meredith Lee of Maple Street Mercantile, a coffee shop and bakery also selling home decor on Main Street. “We all gather in the park. We light the tree Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Claus hands out cookies.”

Michael Foley was selling Christmas trees to benefit the Hopkinton Lions Club. He said that proceeds from the tree sales go to educational scholarships for high school students.

“I think we sell out quicker,” he said. “We only buy about 100 trees.”

Foley said the event has grown over the years and with the holiday music playing in the background, the season of cheer was in full swing.