Quantcast
Blue Back Square Business Happenings Lifestyle The Center

West Hartford Holiday Stroll a Festive Welcome to the Season

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

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

About the author

We-Ha

We-Ha.com is the place to go for the latest information about West Hartford – a town that "has it all"! We-Ha.com is part of and proud of our community, and we bring a hyperlocal focus to news and features about the people, schools, businesses, real estate, sports, restaurants, charitable events, arts, and more. Contact us at: [email protected] or [email protected].

Leave a Comment

Translate »