Visitors to Historic Smithville can trade sand for snowflakes this weekend as the village transforms into a festive holiday destination during its second annual Christmas in July celebration on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12.
After a successful debut last summer, organizers have expanded the event with more participating businesses, family activities and interactive games designed to encourage visitors to explore the entire village.
“This is all about creating memories and giving families a fun reason to experience everything Smithville has to offer,” said event coordinator Jenna Perfetti, owner of Surf Road Coffee Shop, who is organizing the event alongside Darlene Hinrichsen.
One of the weekend’s featured activities is a village-wide quest game. Children and families can visit participating shops to receive stamps on their raffle cards. Completed cards can be entered for a chance to win gift cards and prizes donated by local businesses.
Every participating shop will also host a “Find the Grinch” game. Hidden somewhere inside each store is a Grinch for children to discover. Those who find the mischievous character will earn a festive surprise, turning every shopping stop into a holiday scavenger hunt.
Throughout the weekend, families can enjoy face painting, interactive activities and plenty of entertainment throughout the village. Guests are encouraged to decorate their flip-flops too in the spirit of the holiday with prizes for best decorated shoes.
Santa and one of his elves will travel through the village with a mobile DJ booth, handing out prizes and surprises while spreading Christmas cheer. Summer Santa will be dressed for the season in flip-flops, board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt as he strolls through the village greeting visitors. Santa will ride the train with children each day between 4-5 p.m., creating a unique summertime holiday experience.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, a bubble machine will fill the air with tiny bubbles that resemble falling snow, while a full-size sleigh outside Surf Road Coffee Shop provides the perfect backdrop for family photos.
Several businesses are embracing the holiday spirit with seasonal offerings. Surf Road Coffee Shop will feature frozen peppermint mocha drinks and peppermint mocha lattes, while the Smithville Inn and Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light Restaurant will serve festive holiday-inspired beverages throughout the weekend.
For Perfetti, the event is about more than Christmas decorations in July. It’s about celebrating a place that has been part of countless family traditions.
“I’ve been coming to Smithville since I was 18 months old with my grandparents,” she said. “For so many families, it’s a place that means something. We wanted to create an event that celebrates those memories while encouraging people to discover new shops and make new memories.”
She also expressed appreciation for the support of village owners Tony Capola Jr., Laura Bouchard and the Fitzgerald family, whose partnership helped the event grow in its second year.
With holiday music, family activities, festive treats and plenty of Christmas spirit in the middle of summer, Smithville’s Christmas in July promises to be one of the Shore’s most unique family events this weekend.
