Lewis County holiday festival continues through Tuesday

LOWVILLE — The Lewis County Historical Society's holiday festival continues through Tuesday.

The festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., features several Christmas trees, decorated by organizations and businesses, that are for sale via silent auction, and a gingerbread house display. This year, several wreaths are also for sale by silent auction.

A gift basket containing Lewis County products will also be raffled off, with tickets earned by bringing in receipts — dated since Nov. 1 — from any business in the county.

“For every $10 they spend, they get a free raffle ticket,” said Carmen A. Sweet, vice president of the historical society board.

The intent is to encourage people to shop within the county, whether at a large retailer or a small shop, he said.

“Without the Lewis County businesses and community, we would not be able to put this on,” Mr. Sweet said.

The society for the past seven years held its annual festival on the first weekend of December at its 7552 S. State St. headquarters. However, officials this year decided to hold it in conjunction with other events to create a “Home for the Holidays in Lewis County” weekend, starting Friday.

“It's a team spirit in Lewis County,” Mr. Sweet said. “That's what we want to see and be part of.”

The festival has historically been a three-day event, but organizers added two days so groups from area schools could continue to participate while school is in session, he said.

The historical society since June has operated without paid employees after its board, citing fiscal difficulties, eliminated the executive director and research director positions. Both had been held by long-time director Lisa J. Becker.

The society is now being managed by its 16-member board, with assistance from a myriad of other volunteers, Mr. Sweet said. “It's nothing to see at least 300 volunteer hours each month,” he said.

Board members have been working to organize the museum and make the research center more accessible, Mr. Sweet said. The small gift shop has been moved to a more visible spot in one of the front rooms, leading to increased sales of historic books, Christmas ornaments and other items, he said.

“We have a great board,” Mr. Sweet said. “It's a working board. It's a board that has a vision for Lewis County to keep our history for our young people.”