In honor of Easthampton’s connection to the beloved holiday classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the town held the sevent Annual “Whobilation” holiday celebration this past weekend.

Snowy ground and temperatures in the 30s didn’t dampen spirits — more than 100 locals braved the weather to join the festivities.

Led by Kate Garrity, the Community Service Club and several other Williston students volunteered to help hand out refreshments and lead caroling at the Whobilation, which was held in Millside Park behind the Eastworks building at 5:00 Sunday, December 8.

With hot chocolate provided by the Silver Spoon Restaurant and chocolate chip cookies provided by Burger King, Easthampton residents came together to mingle, carol, and be merry. Both Santa Claus and the Grinch made appearances. Attendees were also strongly encouraged to bring an unwrapped and unopened toy to place under the tree.

Run by the Easthampton Community Center, the festival primarily serves to collect toys and funds to distribute holiday magic to those in need. The Community Center primarily distributes food to more than 14 local communities, and during the holidays they donate toys to over 800 local families. Nearly a third of these come from Whobalation, event organizer Robin Bialecki told the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

According to Garrity, the Community Center collected roughly 200 toys – below what they usually get from the Whobalation.

“The problem this year was that it was postponed,” she told The Willistonian, “It was originally supposed to be when we were on break, during that massive snowstorm. My guess is that they got fewer toys because of this.”

She also added that they have not yet tallied the cash donations as of press time, and so remain hopeful.

Local legend claims that Springfield native Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, modeled Whoville after Easthampton and the Grinch’s Mount Crumpit after Mount Tom.

Written in 1957, the beloved children’s book was adapted into a TV special in 1966 and quickly became a holiday classic. Originally, Whobalation was simply a few Easthampton residents coming together in a sort of flash mob to sing the Whos, “Welcome Christmas” song. The idea quickly captured the town’s heart and it became what it is today.