Holiday village #2: Display reflects growth of love, life & family in Pascoag

Northern RI – Entry #2 in our Holiday Village Contest comes from Sherry and Michael Perreault of Pascoag.  

“Our Christmas village started with a tiny little house that you would put a tea light in it to make it glow,” said Sherry. “When we bought that little tea light house in Abilene, Texas back in 1988 I mentioned to my husband, I would love to have a big Christmas village one year.” 

The couple, originally from Providence, made the purchase one year after they were married, on Christmas Eve 1988.

“That first year of marriage  started a tradition that has grown far beyond  what I have ever imagined,” Sherry said.

At the time, Sherry notes Mike was active duty in the Air Force, serving at his first duty station in Abilene, and he would continue to serve his country for 24 years.

Once Mike retired in 2012, the couple moved to Pascoag with their three children, Fallon, Michael and Nicolette.    

Sherry noted that over the years, the Christmas village grew into a reflection of the couple, to include everything from a Dave’s Marketplace – where Mike works – to a Fenway Park, a nod to their love for New England sports teams. 

“What started as a small wish has become a cherished Christmas tradition,” said Sherry. “It brings me so much joy to look at every year and it takes Mike seven hours to set up. It reminds me of the life we started with that small tea light house.”

Sherry remembers lighting that tea light so often during their first year as a married couple that she made a burn mark at the top of the roof.

“I reflect on the life we built together and how blessed we are with three adult children that share the magic and love of Christmas,” she said. “I never imagined it would grow this big.”

If you have a holiday village you’d like to show off by entering the contest, just send 5 to 10 photos of your display along with your name and the town in which you reside to [email protected]. If you’d like, feel free to include a little information about yourself and your village, as well as what makes it special to you. We’ll let you choose the angles and shots that best capture your display, but hope to see both closeups and at least one image showing the complete setup.

The contest is open to all ages, but you must be a current resident of Burrillville, North Smithfield or Glocester to participate.

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, Dec. 21 with voting to take place through the final week of December.

The winner will be announced during the first week of January and will receive a $50 gift card to New Leaf Coffee Bar in Burrillville.