Chamber-Sponsored Events
P reparations for our two “ signature ” events – Daffodil Festival and Christmas Stroll – begin far in advance of their actual dates , and require the assistance of a slew of industrious volunteers . Planning for Daffodil Festival entails submitting requests to the NPD for street blocking and the State for permission to hold a vehicular parade on Milestone Road ( Nantucket ’ s only state highway ), mailing applications to Car Parade participants , as well as ordering dashboard plaques and merchandise . Our ever-vigilant Events Committee assists our Events Coordinator in planning the logistics of the Family Picnic , Festival Marketplace , Children ’ s and Dog Parades and Daffy Hat Pageant , as well as soliciting volunteers to judge “ Daffy ” window displays ! ( Phew !) Likewise , plans for Christmas Stroll begin in August when over 100 balsam trees – slated to grace Main Street during Nantucket Noel – are ordered . Stroll pins – coveted by diehard “ Strollers ” whose collections date back many years – are designed and
Inset photo © Cary Hazlegrove
ordered , along with scarves and hats . Fun and festive In-town activities are also orchestrated . Trees arrive on island in late November , and our Department of Public Works gets right to work installing and patiently stringing lights on each one ( thanks Dale , Scotty , Kenny and team !) At dusk , on the day after Thanksgiving , Main Street bustles with activity as locals and visitors gather for the Tree Lighting and Community Caroling Ceremony , the “ kick-off ” to Nantucket Noel . Stroll and Home for the Holidays Weekends follow , leading up to the eagerly anticipated Holiday Red Ticket Drawing on Christmas Eve when $ 10,000 is dispensed to lucky winners ( 5 $ 1000 checks and 1 $ 5000 check ). Our calendar year winds down with preparation for Nantucket New Years – featuring a themed ball at the Nantucket Hotel – as well as a flurry of family-friendly activities and revelry island-wide . After a brief winter respite , we start all over again !
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