Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Rainy weather doesn’t dim spirit of borough’s holiday celebration
MALVERN » The rainy weather didn’t dampen the festivities of the borough’s 16th annual Victorian Christmas celebration Friday and Saturday.
Hundreds of people ignored the elements to enjoy activities to welcome in the holiday season.
The Malvern Business and Professional Association produced the event which offered dozens of different events for the community, including horse and carriage rides, pony rides, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a bake sale were among the free activities.
Many local business along King Street held open houses for the public to see. Live music was also played by different ensembles all over the town, while many groups of Christmas carolers strolled the borough streets, singing.
Malvern-based musician Zach Brown entertained the crowd on King Street, playing with his band in the rain.
“I think it’s great because it brings everybody that’s in the community and in the town, all together. This event everybody seems to get together and really get
“You see families out walking together, it’s fun. It makes lots of family time.”
to meet their neighbor and make new friends,” Brown said.
David Heavens, a resident from Chester Springs, brought his two children to enjoy the celebration. His group the Winter Village Carolers from the Tri-State Performing Artists also performed. “It brings together everybody. These are multigenerational families walking around, even in weather like this. You see parents, grandparents going in all the shops (enjoying) the food, the entertainment, the music. This is something we’ve been doing for a couple years now and we’ll be a part of it as long as they’ll have us here,” Heavens remarked.
Another activity children enjoyed, was making Christmas arts and crafts projects at the Malvern Public Library. Linda Meachem who works in the library, said there had been a steady flow of children stopping by to make something special. “I love it. Everybody’s happy. Everybody participates in the community. They all have something special for the kids to do, so it’s a lot of fun for them to walk around and do everything. I think it’s great,” Meachem said.
Ted Everson and his daughter Casey came from Chaddsford to enjoy the day. Before making crafts at the library, they went on a horsepulled carriage ride around the borough.
“We had fun. We got very wet waiting, but once we were inside they had a nice big blanket that we could all huddle under,” said Everson. “It’s nice, it’s right in downtown Malvern, a cute area for everyone to gather. It’s great to come into the public buildings and do something you wouldn’t normally do in them. Everybody involved has been so great. Sprits are high even with the rain.”
Among other activities offered at the celebration were gingerbread house-making, and a workshop on how to make wreaths at Malvern Flowers and Gifts.
Marjie Vrsceli a florist at the shop, said the rain didn’t stop people from going in the shops.
“You see families out walking together, it’s fun. It makes lots of family time,” said Vrsceli.
Attendees could also donate food items and be part of a food drive that began Nov. 1st and runs through Dec. 13. Food items are being collected at Malvern Federal Savings Bank and Mal- vern Public Library. Goods will then be donated to the Chester County Food Bank.
See more photos of Malvern’s 16th annual Victorian Christmas celebration at