West Hartford’s 31st annual Holiday Stroll will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29, from 5-8 p.m.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square are decked out in holiday style and on Thursday will welcome the public to the 31st annual Holiday Stroll.

The Stroll is one of West Hartford’s signature events – a classic New England celebration of December’s holidays designed to welcome people of all ages and backgrounds.

The family-friendly event, which will be held from 5-8 p.m., includes a tree lighting in the Blue Back Square courtyard and the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus in both Blue Back and The Center – they move quickly!

Strollers can enjoy tasty treats courtesy of restaurants and other businesses throughout the Center and Blue Back Square while being serenaded by Victorian carolers. There’s a window decoration contest, a make-you-own luminaria workshop, marshmallow roasting, and a chance to check out a West Hartford Fire Department engine.

Several storefronts will feature entertainers, and there is also a formal schedule of entertainment on the stage at Webster Walk in Blue Back Square and on the showmobile stage at the corner of LaSalle Road and Farmington Avenue. Featured groups include Conard High School’s award-winning Be S#arp a cappella group, West Hartford Women’s Chorale, Conard Jazz Combo, and the Sound of New England Chorus. The School of Ballet Hartford and Ballet Theatre Company will also perform segments from their upcoming performances of The Nutcracker.

Radio personality Renee DeNino (The River 105.9) will be at Webster Walk in Blue Back Square, while Ed Sabatino (The Whale Radio 102.9 and Radio 104.1) will be on Farmington Avenue in The Center.

A multitude of mascots – from the Yard Goats, Hartford WolfPack, New Britain Bees, and Hartford Hawks – will be also be strolling, enjoying opportunities to high-five and pose for photos.

Give your feet a break from strolling and hop on the special trolley for a ride around the Center while being entertained with trivia and karaoke.

When you get a bit chilly, warm up at the Festival of Trees, on display inside First Church West Hartford at 12 South Main St. There are also inside activities at Kaoud Rugs (17 South Main St.) where representatives from The Children’s Museum will have some special animals ready to meet the public.

Isham Road will be closed off to traffic this year – and will be the scene of fun and games courtesy of Launch Trampoline and West Hartford Little League, and Conard High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society will hold a bake sale.

Sponsors of the Holiday Stroll include the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Blue Back Square, West Hartford Center Business Association, the Town of West Hartford, WH Media, We-Ha.com, Experience We-Ha, West Hartford Magazine, and Ledger Publications.

For a complete guide to entertainment at the Holiday Stroll, see the PDF below.

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