First Nite of Christmas & Christmas Craft Shoppe In the air there's a feeling of Christmas!

The warmth of the bon fire, the sight of twinkling Christmas lights, the sound of the brass band, the aroma of cocoa and pizzelles ~ there's definitely a felling of Christmas at First Nite.

These year's annual community Christmas party will be Friday, December 7.  Somerset County Community Band's brass ensemble will play Christmas carols on the porch beginning at 6:30 p.m. Santa will arrive to light the tree at 7 p.m.  We'll serve hot dogs and hot chocolate outside; homemade cookies and punch inside.

Kids can visit with Santa, have their faces painted, make a Christmas craft, and hear a story or two while their parents or grandparents browse the Christmas Craft Shoppe. 

First Night of Christmas is free and open to the public.  It is a fun family-friendly holiday tradition you won't want to miss.

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Shoppers rush home with their treasures!

Laurel Arts' Christmas Craft Shoppe will open Saturday, November 17 in the galleries at The Philip Dressler Center.  The Shoppe will be open through December 19.

The Shoppe features quality handmade and holiday crafts.  You'll find stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, holidays decorations, wearables, and pieces destined to become family heirlooms.

Regional artists and crafters who are interested in selling their work through the Christmas Craft Shoppe should contact Terri Klink, office manager, at 443-2433.  Terri said last year's sales were brisk.  "First Night was very successful, and we drew shoppers from Johnstown as well as from the county", she reported.

Because we're adding a week to the schedule, Terri expects this year's sales to be very good, as well.

Hours for the Christmas Craft Shoppe will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Friday, and noon to 4 pm. Saturday and Sunday.  Laurel Arts is closed for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23.