West Hartford Holiday Stroll a Festive Welcome to the Season
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West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Thousands of people visited West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday, Dec. 1 during the 35th annual Holiday Stroll.
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The frosty air Thursday night added to the spirit of the holiday season – and there were actual chestnuts roasting on an open fire – as thousands turned out for West Hartford’s 35th annual Holiday Stroll in Blue Back Square and the Center.
Magical New England winter spirit filled West Hartford with a tree lighting, carolers, dancers and other live performances on three stages, hot cocoa and other heart-warming treats, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, brightly-decorated windows, and the opportunity to donate toys to those in need.
Taylor Kinzler of NBC Connecticut’s CT Live emceed the Blue Back Square activities, which included the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a stylish convertible. The couple, assisted by 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.
St. James’s Episcopal Church held a live nativity, and at First Church West Hartford, the Festival of Trees attracted more than 900 visitors to raise money for charity and raise holiday spirits. The trees will remain on display and the raffle will be open through Sunday’s 10 a.m. worship service.
Holiday cheer could be found 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. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Courtesy photo
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Courtesy photo
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Courtesy photo
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Courtesy photo
Live Nativity at St. James’s Episcopal Church. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ted Newton
Live Nativity at St. James’s Episcopal Church. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ted Newton
Live Nativity at St. James’s Episcopal Church. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ted Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Ted Newton
Festival of Trees. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Festival of Trees. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Festival of Trees. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2022. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
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