BEVERLY — The Beverly Heritage Branch of the Elkins Public Library will hold a grand opening ceremony during the Heritage Center’s annual Old Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 4.

The ceremony is a free event for the entire family and will be from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Typically the annual celebration is filled with live music, children’s activities and a visit from Father Christmas. But because of COVID-19, the center has added a community outreach component that features a tote-bag giveaway.

Each bag will include books, food, warm clothing items, a craft activity and more. The tote-bags were made possible with support from the Beverly Bookmobile, Citizens Bank and the Town of Beverly.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. for the new branch of the library. Live book readings from VIPs and people who helped make the new library a reality will begin at 12:30 p.m.. The museum will also be open to the public free of charge.

“The Beverly Heritage Branch will provide the same services that we offer at the main library in Elkins,” director Jared Howell said. “The new location will help us reach farther into our service area, reaching patrons who now are traveling to Elkins or Mill Creek for materials and programs. This effort to expand the library’s footprint was made possible by the American Library Association COVID Relief Fund.”

Another new addition to this year’s Old Fashioned Christmas will be a Holiday Pop-Up Shop in the IOOF building across the street from the Beverly Heritage Center. A host of local vendors will be on the second floor of the building above the Rusty Spinner from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. selling handmade goods, including food, wreaths, leather items and more.

As part of the celebration there will also be a breakfast with Santa at the Volunteer Fire Department from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Presbyterian Church will also host a luncheon from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Live music is scheduled in the afternoon and a Christmas Tree Lighting event will take place at 5 p.m. in Town Square.

The Beverly Heritage Center is located at 4 Court Street in Beverly. For more info on Old Fashioned Christmas call 304-637-7424, or send an e-mail to info@beverlyheritagecenter.org.