Celebrants warm themselves around the bonfire made by the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department at the “Welcome to Christmas in Shepherdstown” in 2022. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Every year, the Corporation of Shepherdstown marks the return of the holiday season on the day after Thanksgiving, with a “Welcome to Christmas in Shepherdstown” in town square.

Tonight from 4-9 p.m., the Welcome to Christmas in Shepherdstown will bring thousands of local residents and visitors to downtown Shepherdstown.

“We invite everyone to come feel the magic of Christmas as we light up the town and host a huge open house!” said the Christmas in Shepherdstown organizers. “Attendees will find a wide variety of activities that the whole family can enjoy.”

The evening will kick off with the Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club’s annual Chili Supper fundraiser in the War Memorial Building (102 East German Street). The supper will be held from 5-7 p.m., during which attendees can enjoy a number of different chili variaties with a freshly baked piece of cornbread. A table filled with gifts and gift baskets will be at the event once again this year, with the proceeds from the gift sales going directly to a designated children’s organization, such as the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle or the Shepherdstown Day Care Center.

“It’s a wonderful effort by the members in our club!” said Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club Treasurer Margaret Walker. “Our club decided they wanted to direct [some] funds locally and where they would benefit children. We’ve picked different organizations that will help children over the past few years that we’ve done this.”

Mrs. Claus reads a Christmas story to children at the annual “Welcome to Christmas in Shepherdstown” on McMurran Hall’s lawn in 2021. Tabitha Johnston

At the same time as the Chili Supper is going on, a variety of other eating and shopping opportunities will be available from local businesses, many of which will be have extended hours that night. Holiday markets in the Entler Hotel (129 East German Street) and on the first floor of the War Memorial Building will provide additional shopping opportunities for celebrants.

For those wanting to stay strictly in town square, a couple of fun, seasonal snacks will be available on the streets. Freshly roasted chestnuts will be sold by members of the Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club from a stand in front of the Market House (100 East German Street). S’mores kits will be given out by the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, for attendees to make s’mores on a bonfire the fire department will build on King Street, between Town Hall and McMurran Hall. Donations to the fire department will be accepted, in lieu of the s’mores kits.

Starting at 6 p.m., Mrs. Claus will take a seat at the front of McMurran Hall’s lawn, to read Christmas stories for about a half hour to the children in attendance. She will be assisted in retelling the stores, especially Dr. Seuss’ book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” by The Grinch himself, along with Cindy Lou and some of the other Whos from Whoville.

A Christmas tree lighting ceremony will then take place on McMurran Hall’s lawn at around 6:30 p.m., followed by the arrival of Santa Claus on the back of a fire truck. Santa Claus will make his way from the fire truck into McMurran Hall, where families can visit and take pictures with him.

“Experience the wonderment of Christmas in historic Shepherdstown, during this holiday season!” said the Christmas in Shepherdstown organizers.

For Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club Secretary Adele Knott, the beautiful thing about the kickoff to Christmas in Shepherdstown is how it demonstrates the community-first mindset of the many different organizations that work together to bring it to life every year.

“It makes Shepherdstown special,” Knott said. “We work together, regardless of our various affiliations.”

The Christmas kickoff weekend celebrations will continue through town this Saturday. Small Business Saturday will be held at local businesses and the handmade markets in the Entler Hotel, Evolve and War Memorial Building. Additionally, the annual, free family-friendly “Who-liday Celebration” will be held on the second floor of the War Memorial Building from 1-3 p.m., with magic shows, snacks and a visit from Santa Claus on tap.

To learn more, visit the Christmas in Shepherdstown page on Facebook.