Thousands of people visited West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday, Dec. 5 during the 32nd annual Holiday Stroll.
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
West Hartford Center sidewalks, Blue Back Square sidewalks, were dressed in holiday style … as the town officially welcomed the season at the 32nd annual Holiday Stroll.
Many traditional holiday songs could be appropriated to describe West Hartford’s annual New England-style event – which included chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and a definite presence of Jack Frost nipping at the noses of the thousands of people, of all ages, who took part in this year’s Stroll. The ground was even covered in a mantle of white – left over from storms on Sunday and Monday – which added to the festive mood.
Santa Claus arrived in a horse-drawn sleigh, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, and with the help of children who have been treated at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center lit the tree in Blue Back Square with their magic star wands. Santa and Mrs. Claus visited with the many children who lined up to share their holiday wishes.
The moment the tree lit up, a flash mob from the Greater Hartford Dance Academy sprang into action, dancing in the middle of Isham Road to some favorite holiday tunes.
“Another” Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Stroll as well, chauffeured by the West Hartford Fire Department, and visited with children and posed for photos in front of Toy Chest.
There was music from local a cappella groups and instrumentalists, a fire truck to explore, hot cocoa with mini marshmallows that tasted like melted chocolate bars (thank you, Billy Grant), home-baked cookies, Chanukah gelt, face painting, and much more.
Inside Kaoud Rugs, stroll-goers took a break from the chill and had the chance to meet and learn about some of the creatures that live at the Children’s Museum, including a Guinea Pig, sugar glider, and bearded dragon.
Festive windows, twinkly lights, and other holiday decorations delighted the young and old alike.
First Church hosted the annual “Festival of Trees,” with donations to bid on trees supporting local ministries.
Holiday cheer filled the air 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 event as a thank you to the community.
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Conard High School’s Be S#arp. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire in front of Treva. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Emcee Renee DiNino with Steve Litchfield of TDBank. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
From left: Kate Kobs, Jessie Bouclier, and Executive Director Chris Conway from the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Farmington Avenue Music Academy. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chick-fil-A Owner/Manager Daryl Jackson with the cow mascot. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Nick Barnett from the Children’s Museum lets a child pet a bearded dragon inside Kaoud Rugs. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Children had the chance to meet several animals from the Children’s Museum inside Kaoud Rugs. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Sweetest Key. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
From left: Former Chamber of Commerce President Dave Calibey with Chamber staff members Kate Kobs, Jessie Bouclier, and Executive Director Chris Conway. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Trinity College Trinitones. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019.
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Flash mob from the Greater Hartford Dance Academy. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
First Church Festival of Trees. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
First Church Festival of Trees. West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Submitted photo
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
West Hartford Holiday Stroll, Dec. 5, 2019. Courtesy of Kara Flanagan
