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Alber Orchard holding Christmas at the Orchard event

Alber Orchard & Freedom Winery is preparing for its second annual Christmas at the Orchard event. Photo courtesy of Nicolle Bossory.

by Sara Swanson

Alber Orchard & Freedom Winery, located at 13011 Bethel Church Rd, announced they are holding a unique Christmas event on Sunday, December 7, from noon to 6pm: The Orchard Winter Gathering. Organizer Nicolle Bossory explained, “The idea of the event is to provide a family-friendly event for the community around the holiday season without providing a carnival atmosphere. … No crowds. No chaos. Just Christmas at the orchard.”

There are three levels of tickets and she is urging anyone interested to purchase tickets ahead of time. A general admission ticket is $5, which includes access to the vendors and live nativity animals and one cup of hot cocoa or coffee. The Children ticket is $10 and includes “take-your-own photo with Santa” from noon to 3pm, storytime by Manchester District Library with stories every hour starting at 12:30pm, and a Reindeer Feed Station where kids will make and take home their reindeer mix. The Experience ticket is $12 and includes everything the general admission ticket includes as well as the historic orchard mini-walking tour, which will happen hourly starting at 12:45pm.

The mini tour will consist of a walking tour through the orchard, highlighting a few special trees along with history of the orchard. On the tour, guests will stop at a “make a wish tree” and will be able to tie their Christmas wish to it. Come dressed appropriately for the tour based on the weather.

There will also be food, alcohol, and cookie decorating for purchase at the event.

Bossory states, “Expect cozy seasonal moments like warm cocoa, cookie decorating, storytime, live nativity animals, local vendors, historic orchard tours, and more Christmas magic — all in the quiet charm of the orchard!”

Tickets are available at .

Snow on the trees at Alber Orchard. Photo courtesy of Nicolle Bossory.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.