Thousands of people visited West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday, Dec. 2 during the 34th annual Holiday Stroll.
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Jack Frost wasn’t doing much nipping Thursday night, but the air definitely was filled with the spirit of the holiday season – and there were actual chestnuts roasting on an open fire – as thousands turned out on a mild evening for the West Hartford’s annual Holiday Stroll, which returned to its usual format this year.
The 2020 version of the Holiday Stroll was modified due to COVID-19 as a “stroll your own way” event, but for 2021 most of the traditional elements returned, bringing that classically magic New England feeling to West Hartford with a festive family-friendly celebration that included a tree and menorah lighting, hot chocolate and other tasty treats, horse drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, brightly-decorated store windows, carolers, and other live music and dance performances.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in Blue Back Square via horse drawn carriage, and with a bit of help from Ballet Theatre Company dancers waved a wand and lit the tree. “Another” Santa was transported to the Toy Chest by the West Hartford Fire Department. Scores of holiday wishes were shared at both locations by wide-eyed children.
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 – and very successful annual event as a thank you to the community.
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Mayor Shari Cantor and Michael Cantor. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 2, 2021. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Theatre Company collaboration at the Holiday Stroll. Dec. 2, 2021. Courtesy photo
West Hartford Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Theatre Company collaboration at the Holiday Stroll. Dec. 2, 2021. Courtesy photo
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