West Hartford Stroll Provides a Festive Start to Holiday Season
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West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
Thousands of people visited West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Friday, Dec. 1 during the annual Holiday Stroll.
By Ronni Newton
Chestnuts – as well as marshmallows – were being roasted on an open fire in West Hartford on Friday night, with plenty of hot chocolate being handed out to keep Jack Frost at bay, as thousands participated in the annual Stroll and welcomed the holiday season.
Children squealed as Santa, who arrived this year in a stylish red convertible decked out with reindeer antlers, used his magic wand to light the Blue Back Square Christmas tree. He was joined by Mrs. Claus to visit with children and listen to their holiday wishes.
“Another” Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by firetruck at the Toy Chest in the Center, and also visited with and posed for photos with the 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 hosted the free event as a thank you to the community. There were carolers, ballerinas, cocoa and cookies, churros, crepes, Chanukah gelt, and festive windows to delight the young and old alike.
Mascots from area sports teams strolled among the crowds and there were also live animals and a chance to climb inside a fire truck.
First Church West Hartford held a festival of trees. Moms Time Out! collected mittens for the Town That Cares.
As the Stroll wound down, many engaged in a lively holiday karaoke sing, made s’mores at Artisan’s outdoor fireplace, or visited local restaurants, many of which were offering specials for the evening.
The Holiday Stroll was fun and festive, and from the smiles on everyone’s faces, the event was a great success.
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West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 1, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
[…] candles and I did manage to hang some wreaths), but I really got into the spirit while covering the Holiday Stroll on Friday night. What a fun and festive evening it […]
The holiday stroll was fun and festive, but it really felt like more of a celebration of Christmas only. I would like to reach out to the organizers to help represent Hanukah at the Stroll. Any way to communicate to me how to get in touch with the organizers? Thank you.