The 35th annual West Hartford Holiday Stroll will return Dec. 1, from 5-8 p.m.
By Ronni Newton
The holiday season is upon us and the 35th annual Holiday Stroll in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square will return Thursday, Dec. 1, bringing that festive magic to town with a classic family-friendly New England-style festival that includes a tree lighting, tasty treats from area restaurants, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, carolers and other live music, ballet dancers performing scenes from The Nutcracker, and the chance to climb aboard a fire truck.
The celebration of the season will begin with the tree lighting in Blue Back Square at 5 p.m., and the Holiday Stroll will continue through 8 p.m. – rain, snow, or shine.
Entertainment for people of all ages will be showcased beginning at 5 p.m. on stages at Webster Walk in Blue Back Square as well as two other stages – located at the corner of Farmington Avenue and LaSalle Road and in the PeoplesBank parking lot at 102 LaSalle Road.
Performing at Blue Back Square will be Ballet Theatre Company, Rock This Town Orchestra, and a flash mob dance.
Isham Road in Blue Back Square will be closed to vehicle traffic, and stroll-goers will have the chance to see and take photos with Chompers and Chew Chew, the two Yard Goats mascots.
Strollers will be entertained in the Center by Playhouse on Park, the Mandell JCC, Hall High Choraliers, and Ballet Hartford. The PeoplesBank lot will showcase The School of Rock.
The Center and Blue Back Square merchants will be fully decked out in holiday style, with beautiful and creative window displays. Special promotions and other activities will take place during the Holiday Stroll event.
Related activities happening in conjunction with the Holiday Stroll include a nativity walk at St. James’s Episcopal Church and the Festival of Trees at First Church West Hartford.
The 35th annual Holiday Stroll is appropriate for people of all ages, and is made possible by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Blue Back Square, West Hartford Center Business Association, the Town of West Hartford, and 2020 Media.
Generous support has also been provided by the following sponsors: PeoplesBank, TD Bank, Westfield Bank, 2020 Media, 102.9 The Whale, and Radio 104.1 WMRQ.
For up-to-date information, including an event timeline, visit the West Hartford Chamber’s website and click on the “Holiday Stroll” tab.
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I will be presenting a message based upon Noah Webster’s “The Peculiar Doctrines of the Gospel Explained and Defended” throughout the evening, on December 1, 2022 in front of the Noah Webster statue on South Main Street. I will be using his actual words for my presentation. I will be repeating the same message for passerbys throughout the evening. I hope you will stop by to give a listen.