VERGENNES — In Vergennes plans for public holiday festivities had to be adjusted at the last minute due to the state’s continuingly tighter COVID-19 regulations, but Vergennes Partnership Marketing & Development Coordinator Julie Basol said city officials and merchants remain dedicated to the seasonal spirit. 
Unfortunately the annual Vergennes Holiday Stroll had to be called off, but Basol said there still are activities in the works for Saturday, Dec. 5, which typically would have been the date of the stroll.
The trees on the Vergennes City Green will be lit up “from corner to corner” that Saturday evening, Basol said. A “Tree of Hope” will be set up that day, and all will be invited to write encouraging words on the ornaments provided and place them on the tree. 
Also on Dec. 5, the popular S.D. Ireland cement truck lit with twinkling Christmas lights will visit Vergennes. Plans call for it to tour city neighborhoods, possibly escorting a waving Santa Claus in a city public works vehicle. The cement truck is decorated with 10,000 lights each year, and Basol noted it somehow manages to spin nonetheless. 
Letters to Santa will be welcomed beginning on Dec. 5. They can be dropped off at the official North Pole mailbox at Malabar on Main Street. As Basol noted, “Include your mailing address in the letter and Santa might just find time to write back to you!”
In addition, Basol said these holiday plans are either in place or being worked out:
•  The Vergennes Partnership is talking to the Bixby Library about “Zooming with Santa,” possibly in conjunction with the Bixby Story Hour. Stay tuned!
•  The partnership is also working out the details of three online “Festive Fun Fridays” gatherings on Dec. 4, 11 and 18, featuring demos by local restaurant professionals on important holiday topics on at least two of them — appetizers, cocktails and a yet-to-be-determined third theme for the final session. 
Check the partnership website — vergennesdowntown.org — for details. Basol said the partnership plans to charge a “nominal fee” to attendees as a fundraiser.
•  Finally, the partnership is sponsoring a friendly holiday decorating competition between the businesses and homes. Basol noted secret shoppers will be on the lookout for shop and restaurant employees who are going above and beyond.   
And, of course, she said, stores up, down and around Vergennes will be having in-store specials and events, both live and virtually, as they encourage area residents to shop safely and locally.