1,100 lamp posts with 2,860 yards of laurel garlands and 2,400 red bows can only mean one thing: it’s time to kick-off the Holiday Season on Beacon Hill. Join the magic as Tom Kershaw graciously hosts Garlands and Green: A Holiday Gathering at The Hampshire House on Wednesday, November 19 from 6-9 pm. This popular holiday party helps raise the funds needed to support the Beacon Hill Civic Association’s magical transformation of Beacon Hill for the Holidays during their annual Decorating Days, this year on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th.
Tom Kershaw has long been considered the founder of the tradition to dress the picturesque gas lamp poles for the holidays, first completed on Charles Street by the Beacon Hill Business Association over 25 years ago. In 1998, the idea to decorate all residential streets was born, and the Beacon Hill Civic Association joined the holiday decorating team. It was then that Kershaw decided his gift to the community would be an annual cocktail party which he would sponsor to help the Beacon Hill Civic Association raise funds.
Lisa Macalaster, Pinckney Street resident and lead vocalist of the band HoneyMac, and pianist Richard Pierce will serenade the crowd as they play popular tunes and holiday favorites. The night will also include a drawing for a variety items from Beacon Hill businesses such as restaurant gift cards, event tickets, clothing items, and more.
Tickets for this year’s Holiday Gathering are on sale now for $30 at www.bhcivic.org. Each ticket includes hors d’oeuvres and two glasses of beer, two glasses of wine, or a holiday martini. Tickets will be available online through Noon on November 19th. Tickets will then be sold at the door for $35 the night of the event.
Sign-ups for this year’s Decorating Days on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th can also be located at www.bhcivic.org. On Saturday, volunteers are needed at the Harrison Gray Otis House, 141 Cambridge Street, between 9am and 4pm to help cut and wire the laurel garlands, deliver supplies, and get a head start decorating the gas lamps. On Sunday, volunteers are needed to hang the garlands and bows on all Beacon Hill lamp posts throughout the neighborhood. Veteran decorators will be on hand to show volunteers how to wire the greens on the gas lamps.
Be sure to follow the Beacon Hill Civic Association on Facebook and Twitter as these Holiday events grow near. Watch for the tag #JoinTheMagic as drawing prizes are unveiled during the countdown to the night of the party.