Thousands of people visited West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday, Nov. 29 during the 31st annual Holiday Stroll.
From left: Tami, Eric and Lena Geigle. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton. Photos by Ronni Newton, Hunter Marotto, and Joy Taylor
Santa Claus, chestnuts roasted on an open fire, carolers, Chanukah gelt, home-baked cookies, and hot cocoa topped with marshmallows were just some of the highlights of West Hartford’s 31st annual Holiday Stroll, enjoyed by thousands of people who visited the Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday night.
Children were wide-eyed as Santa arrived via trolley in Blue Back Square, and waved his magic wand to illuminate the tree. He was joined by Mrs. Claus to visit with children and listen to their holiday wishes.
“Another” Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by firetruck at the Toy Chest in the Center, and also visited with and posed for photos with the children, and a “blue” Santa, affiliated with the West Hartford Police Department, also strolled the streets.
Holiday cheer filled the air from one end of West Hartford Center to the other and throughout Blue Back Square as the local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce hosted the free event as a thank you to the community.
Local musical groups and dancers performed on stages in Blue Back Square and on the showmobile on Farmington Avenue, while ballerinas danced in storefront windows. Mascots from area sports teams strolled among the crowds and there was face painting, games, luminaria to create, live animals, a chance to climb inside a fire truck.
The crowd cheered as a flash mob, dancing and singing holiday favorites, temporarily took over the roadway in Blue Back Square.
Festive windows, twinkly lights, and other holiday decorations delighted the young and old alike.
Two thousand visitors strolled into First Church West Hartford on South Main Street for the fifth annual Festival of Trees during the annual Holiday Stroll. Donations enabled visitors to bid on more than 50 trees and the event supports local community outreach programs like Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut, Loaves and Fishes Ministries, and Foodshare. Winners will be contacted on Sunday.
The Holiday Stroll was fun and festive, and from the smiles on everyone’s faces, the event was a great success.
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West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Renee DeNino from The River 105.9, pictured with Sonard from the Hartford WolfPack, emceed the activity on the Blue Back Square stage. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Be S#arp from Conard HIgh School. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Mayor Shari Cantor and Police Chief Vernon Riddick. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
From left: Tom Hickey, Barbara Lerner, Matt Banever. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Nov. 29, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
The Choral Club of Hartford sang at the fifth annual West Hartford Festival of Trees at First Church West Hartford during the annual Holiday Stroll in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Visitors flocked to the fifth annual West Hartford Festival of Trees at First Church West Hartford during the annual Holiday Stroll in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Visitors flocked to the fifth annual West Hartford Festival of Trees at First Church West Hartford during the annual Holiday Stroll in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
The Colossal Puppets greeted visitors to First Church West Hartford’s Festival of Trees, during the annual Holiday Stroll. The puppets will be featured in the nativity story on December 16 at 10 a.m. at the church. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
I appreciate the inclusiveness of the name “Holiday Stroll,” but was disappointed (as was my young child) that I couldn’t find any representations of Hanukah, save for a menorah inside of Ben & Jerry’s window.
The JCC had a table in Blue Back Square. There are a few photos of it in the article
[…] 31st annual Holiday Stroll was a great way to officially kick off the season in West Hartford, and the festive event that is a […]