Moonlight Magic Wrap-up

Message from the Event Coordinator

(12/14/09) Dear Friends of Moonlight Magic:
Moonlight Magic is such an iconic kickoff to the holiday season in Shelburne Falls that everyone responded to the intensity of pulling it off. For those of us involved in the planning, we all enjoyed the mix of hi-speed creativity

and can-do spirit, as the intractable date drew near. Members of the SFABA board and Marketing Committee, the village merchants and institutions quickly came forward as financial sponsors and supporters.

In four weeks we organized this traditional event with a new flair:
shuttle vans courtesy of the Academy of Charlemont, improved LED lighting thanks to WMECO, expanded entertainment thanks to all the performers and groups who didn't hesitate to agree, and pony rides with the Snow Princess provided by Mount Toby Stables in Leverett (whose owner Roberta Bryant promises to bring more horses next year!). Even the Grinch got into the act, almost to be outdone as the event spoiler by Old Man Winter. As the first wintry mix rolled in on Friday, all of us who had worked so hard were not going to let the event be canceled; the storm broke late afternoon, except for some wind and spitting, allowing visitors to flow into town from near and far.

Though the luminaries sputtered, there was enough good spirit flowing throughout the village to make up for any glitch, weather or planning related. All the promo bags, which were artistically created by Sarah Scanlon-Fournier and Janice Waldron-Hansen were given out and, as someone commented, "Folks were walking around with filled bags."

The planning committee agreed unanimously, and scheduled the first meeting date in January 2010. As for me, I now appreciate ever so much more all the many volunteer hours that goes into making Shelburne Falls' Moonlight Magic, the Friday after Thanksgiving an event that other business associations want to copy. It just doesn't happen. Folks like Jonathan George, John Taylor, Lanoue Tree & Landscaping, the Mason's volunteer crews from the high school, to name only a very few - they all made it happen. Let me end with special gratitude to the performers from the Hooping Harmony troupe to the Shelburne Military Band who braved the nasty weather to share their talents. So many remain unnamed but not forgotten. We all thank you!

Connie Clarke
Moonlight Magic Event Coordinator