Thousands of people strolled the streets of West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday night, enjoying a festive start to the holiday season.

By Ronni Newton. Photos by Ronni Newton, Joy Taylor, Heather Conley, and Kaushik Makati

There were chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and marshmallows, too.

Santa (actually several of Santa’s helpers) visited with scores of children.

Jack Frost was nipping at the noses of people riding through West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on two-horse open sleighs.

A flash mob of runners threw off their coats, revealing matching red t-shirts, warmed up and then jogged together along the sidewalks.

Carolers caroled. Choirs sang. Dancers performed. Trees were lit. Windows were festive. Restaurants handed out samples of heart-warming treats like crepes, waffles, popcorn, and cocoa.

Thousands visited West Hartford on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, for the Annual Holiday Stroll. The weather was chilly but clear, and from the smiles on everyone’s faces, the event was a great success.

Scenes from the evening are posted below. Please heck back as additional photos will be added to the gallery.

And don’t forget to vote for your favorite window display! The contest runs until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 9. Click here to vote.

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