The new holiday tradition in St. Johnsbury returned with St. J Sparkles! Holiday weekend, December 8-10, 2022.
“Our experience with St. J Sparkles! last year was so positive, it created a number of instant traditions that we look forward to bringing back in 2022…chief among them, the Northstar fireworks display in downtown St. Johnsbury on Friday night,” said Gillian Sewake, director of Discover St. Johnsbury. “I can’t wait to invite our entire community to come together and celebrate the joys of the season at a time when our city shines and sparkles.”
New this year, two KCP Presents shows will provide ‘shiny bookends’ to the festivities, with a performance by the Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir kicking off the weekend on Thursday 8 December at 7pm and the acclaimed Trio Medieval. Saturday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 9, the event will bring a nightlife sensation to the downtown shopping district, with activities at the Welcome Center and many businesses staying open late until the Northstar fireworks display on at 20:00. On Saturday 10 December, family fun activities start at 9am and run all day across the city. A preview of the event, including ticket links for the KCP Presents shows, can be found at DiscoverStJohnsbury.com/StJSparkles.
A full event schedule will be released closer to the event date, but will include free horse-drawn carriage rides at Rainbow’s Edge Farm; a petting zoo with farm animals from Morrison’s Feed Bag; a wide variety of free crafts and activities for children throughout the city; shopping incentives and dining promotions; free hot drinks and fire pits along Railway Street; live music from the United Community Handbell Ensemble; free admission and holiday-themed crafts at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium; story time and a holiday concert at the Athenaeum of St. Johnsbury; food and toy units; holiday bazaars; new business opening celebrations; and much, much more. Once finalized, all event times, locations and details will be available online at DiscoverStJohnsbury.com/StJSparkles and at the St. Johns Welcome Center. Johnsbury (51 Depot Square, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, phone (802) 748-8575).
The Northstar Fireworks show was a hit during the St. J Sparkles 2021! Holiday weekend and back in 2022. Image by Harrison Creative.
Businesses and organizations wishing to host activities during the event still have time to contact [email protected] to be included in the event schedule.
In addition, the local store rewards program Find Your Sparkle in St. J was launched in Small Business on Saturday, November 26th. Between launch and Dec. 31, shoppers are encouraged to pick up rewards cards at local merchants and get the card validated when they shop at any combination of eight St. Louis small businesses. Johnsbury including restaurants, shops, Farmers Market, a hardware store and more. There is no list of participating companies – all types of purchases from small businesses in St. Johnsbury are eligible. Drop off your completed Rewards Card at the St. Johnsbury (51 Depot Square, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819) to receive a free limited edition 2023 wall calendar designed in partnership with Flek, Inc. featuring 12 star images of St. Johnsbury’s natural and built landscapes, by Keith Chamberlin, one of Flek’s partners.
The 2023 wall calendar you can win through the Find Your Sparkle in St. Louis local rewards program. J shop. Image by Keith Chamberlain of Flek, Inc.
To further beautify the city, a Light Up St. holiday light display competition will be launched. J for residents and business owners later in the season, with entry details and prizes to be announced in early December via social media on Discover St. Johnsbury’s Facebook & Instagram Pages.
St. J Sparkles! Holiday Weekend is supported with generous sponsorships from AM Peisch & Company LLP; Flek, Inc.; Little Dipper’s Doodle Children’s Center; Moose River Lake & Lodge Store; Morrison’s Feed Bag; natural provisions; Northstar Fireworks; and Union Bank. Partial funding to promote the events was provided by a USDA Rural Development Rural Business Development Grant.
Since 2002, Discover St. Johnsbury (also known as the St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce) has fostered and promoted the vitality of St. John’s cultural, commercial and community resources. Johnsbury through regional marketing, producing community events, support for local businesses and other economic development activities. The organization combines the economic and commercial objectives of a business alliance with the structure of a designated city center organization. www.DiscoverStJohnsbury.com