It’s been thirty-eight years since the Sippican Woman’s Club’s first Holiday House Tour. In 1986, club members Shirlee Thomas and Jean Collison suggested a fundraiser to then Club President Betsy Parks and Judy Harrison, Treasurer of the club. They agreed it was a great idea, and the first Holiday House Tour was launched. Both Shirlee and Jean had their own homes on the tour. Shirlee is the only surviving member of those original four.
During 3 years of COVID, the club cancelled the House Tour, and the previous year the club was unable to secure a sufficient number of houses to hold the tour.
Saturday, December 7 will be 34th Holiday House Tour from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm sponsored by the Sippican Woman’s Club. The theme for this year’s tour is “Holiday by the Sea” and its theme may be carried out throughout the tour by homeowners and participating designers. Proceeds from the House Tour go toward scholarships to Marion students as well as other organizations serving the Marion community.
Embellishments to the tour have been added. Recently post tour 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the Beverly Yacht Club has opened its doors to post tourgoers to relax; our clubhouse is decorated with a Seaside theme and the doors are open to view the compilation of the club’s history prepared by club member and club historian Jeanne Bruen; new this year is the location of the “Sugarplum Tea” (2:00 pm to 4:00 pm) to be held at Tabor’s Head of School’s residential Great Room. For tour information visit: SippicanWomansClub.org.
Others have joined in the festivities of the season – The Marion Garden Group has its Greens plus Sale on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am at The Music Hall; The Marion Art Center has its Holiday Shop open 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
On Sunday, December 8 from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm The Marion Village Stroll is held and coordinated by Angela Rossi and sponsored by The Marion Business Community Association offering treats from local merchants, Santa arrives via boat at the Old Landing at 3:00 pm, Clydesdale pulled wagon rides, crafts, games, musical performances, Tree lighting at 5:30 pm at the Bandstand.
In the center of Marion, the Marion Garden Group decorates seasonal window boxes and the Marion Business Community Association places small evergreen trees to be decorated with white lights along Front Street’s downtown area. Over the years, many have joined in celebrating the holiday spirit. On a cold winter night, the little village of Marion looks like a winter fairyland.