Walk a lighted trail to find festive activities inside Candia’s historical buildings during the town’s annual Lights on the Hill event on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Deb Puderbaugh, an organizer for the event, said Lights on the Hill is a relief from the distraction of holiday shopping.
“One of the goals for us is that this is a gift to the community to celebrate Christmas and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the malls. It’s a country Christmas,” she said.
The candles lining the trails between stops in the village campus are called luminaries and are made with candles and white bags. The luminaries lead guests safely from one historical building to the next. Guests can walk the historic village campus lined with hundreds of luminaries or ride the shuttle bus around to each site.
Candia’s church will host musical performances in the upstairs sanctuary and have a Christmas shop downstairs.
The church was built in 1938 by members of the community after the original church burned down.
“It was important; it was not only where they worshiped, it was where they conducted all their business. It’s neat to to think how they came together as a community,” Puderbaugh said.
In the little schoolhouse next door, which was used from 1808 to 1933, trail walkers will find a bake sale with goods made by members of the church. The candy, cookies and apple crisp sold at the bake sale will raise money for next year’s Lights on the Hill.
“[The schoolhouse has] been well used over the years and it’s nice to have that one-room schoolhouse still being used today,” said Puderbaugh.
The Smith Building is Candia’s original library. Built in 1932, it is on the state’s registry of historical buildings, according to Puderbaugh. The building is now the home of Candia’s Heritage Commission, which will be teaching guests about the town’s history and showcasing their collection of creches donated from all over the world.
“It’s a collection that one of our church members has; she has been collecting for many years. They’re all different sizes and they are made of all different things,” said Puderbaugh.
The Chester Remington barn next door will have a nativity scene with live animals like sheep, oxen and two donkeys.
“We finally found a pair of donkeys that love people,” said Puderbaugh.
Young adults will be drawn to the Coffeehouse at the Masonic Lodge, which will have live acoustic performances and fresh cups of cappuccino.
The second half of the trail is on Steven’s Lane at Jesse Remington High School, where there will be cookie decorating activities and pictures with the Christmas tree.
