Christmas in St. Michaels is on track to break all records for fundraising this year. Beverly Pratt, chair of the 2011 events for the nonprofit that runs the three-day weekend, said Wednesday they are well on the way to exceeding the $75,000 goal for 2011.
That will put the total raised by the events over 25 years at $1 million that has been returned to a wide variety of area charities, schools, churches and nonprofits.
“We had very good publicity this year and were able to get our word out,” she said. “That, and great weather, brought a record number of people to town.”
She said they sold out of the 2,100 Christmas ornaments and ordered more, sold 400 of the 500 copies of “The Santa Diaries” books that were printed and sold all 1,200 of the house-tour tickets that where printed in advance. Late-comers had to settle for makeshift tickets to take the tours.
The arts-and-crafts Marketplace also exceeded expectations, she said.
A final tally should be available by Jan. 16. This year’s events, including Gala Dinner and the Christmas Parade down Talbot Street were held Dec. 9, 10 and 11.
Bev Pratt says
Just a clarification, Val Kenn Gray is the Board Chair of Christmas in St. Michaels, I was merely the Event Chair for 2011, a role many women have filled and next year, Susan Vail will hold. For those of you wanting the Christmas in St. MIchaels Log Canoe Ornament for 2011, they are still available at The Christmas Shop in St. MIchaels. We will let you know how the numbers come out as soon as Linda Seemans, Financial Chair, lets us know. Christmas in St. Michaels sends special thanks to its volunteers, sponsors, contributors, and especially the participants for helping it celebrate “25 Years in the Spirit of Giving.”