NEWPORT — A cherished holiday tradition continues in Newport with Donna’s 6th Annual Christmas Village, a festive display that brings joy to visitors and showcases one woman’s passion for the holiday season.
Donna Mandart, a Newport resident who moved from Long Island, New York, six years ago, has been crafting intricate Christmas villages for over 35 years. What began as a small collection has grown into a sprawling display of nearly 200 pieces, including houses, figurines, and festive scenes, assembled with painstaking attention to detail.
This year, the village is presented in two locations: a large version at the North Country Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through January, and a smaller version on Main Street, visible in a storefront window next to Green Mountain Cafe.
“It’s truly a labor of love,” Donna said in an interview. “I love that it brings so much joy, happiness, and special memories to everyone.”
The tradition began decades ago when Donna’s husband gifted her a Christmas village piece shortly after their wedding. Each year, she added to the collection, eventually transforming her enclosed porch in Long Island into a 32-foot holiday spectacle. After moving to Newport, she faced space constraints but found a new venue for her creations at the Welcome Center.
“Diane LaPlante, my real estate agent and now president at the Welcome Center, suggested I set up my village there,” Donna recalled. “That first year in 2019, I brought just a small portion of it, and now it’s become an annual tradition.”
The intricate setup process, which takes over 20 hours, involves arranging tables, lighting the houses, placing figurines, and adding snow. Each year, Donna redesigns the layout, creating themed areas such as an ice-fishing scene, a town square, and a train station.
Despite the effort, Donna says it’s worth it.
“Last year, an older man and his wife came to see the village. She had Alzheimer’s, and she thought she recognized the scenes. It brought her so much joy. Moments like that make all the hours worth it.”
Donna’s collection is eclectic, featuring pieces from Department 56, North Pole Village, and others. Many were purchased at yard sales or stores like Hallmark and Yankee Candle.
For Donna, the village is not just about spreading joy to others.
“When I set it up, I create little stories for each piece,” she said. “These people just got married, or these kids are building a snowman. It brings me so much happiness.”
Visitors are encouraged to stop by and experience the magic of Donna’s Christmas Village, a heartfelt reminder of the holiday spirit and the joy of shared traditions.
