East Hartford Holiday Fest 2016
The East Hartford Holiday Fest’16 will be from Friday, December 2nd through Monday, December 5th. Holiday Fest’16 is presented by the East Hartford Beautification Commission and supported by many local civic, community and town organizations. The Fest is celebrating its 24th year. Traditionally, the tree lighting on the Town Green kicks off Holiday Fest. A drawing will be held at the tree lighting for an East Hartford child between the ages of 5 to 8 to light the town tree. Santa will arrive in his fire engine joining his friends from the North Pole as well. Our MC will be Mike Alan, air traffic reporter for WTIC AM.
This year there are 29 events during the 4 days and they are held through out town. As in years pasted, the Holiday Fest Committee is asking the public to help out their neighbors in need and donate to the East Hartford Food Banks by buying a Holiday Fest button for $2.00.The only request is that everyone brings a non-perishable food item to each event. All food items will be donated to the East Hartford Food Banks through out town. The entire proceeds from the Holiday Fest buttons will be donated to the East Hartford Food Banks as well.
The events cater to all ages, young and old. Most of the events are free to the public. Click here for full schedule
The Tree Lighting at the Town Green will kick off the Fest. After the Tree Lighting there will be a Santa Swim at EHHS. Saturday will feature many events for children and adults such as a book sale, poinsettia sale, Health Info booth and craft making all being held at the newly renovated Raymond Library. Also, there will be a pancake breakfast, Christmas Boutique, a spaghetti supper and a Carol Sing at the First Congregational Church. This year a returning event will be the “MAIN STREET LOCAL” better known as the Goodwin College Trolley. You can pick it up at the Town Hall parking lot and travel back in time. Robert Pasek, your tour guide will tell you interesting tidbits about the history of the buildings on Main Street. Come ride the trolley and hear about stories of long ago.
The EHSYF will present a musical performance at the EHCCC and also East Hartford’s own, Paul Bisaccia, will perform a Holiday Musical Piano Concert at First Congregational Church. There will be a Holiday Fair at the All Saint’s Church, as well as a Cookie Walk at South Congregational Church. Parents can drop their children off in the evening at the YMCA so they can shop. The evening will conclude with a Dance Festival featuring area dancers held at the East Hartford Community Center. Sunday’s events will include a Holiday Pancake Breakfast at the Hillstown Grange, a Holiday Brunch at Tastebuds, a visit from Santa at the EH Community Center with a Snowman Building Contest and horse drawn wagon ride outside the Center. The seniors will enjoy an afternoon of Holiday Bingo and a luncheon at the Moose Family Center. At Faith Lutheran Church, the Merrimac Bell Ringers will ring in the Holiday season. Monday’s events will feature the East Hartford Woman’s Club “Tree of Lights” at the park on Main St. and CT, Blvd as well as an all day book sale at the library. A Musical Festival at Riverside Health Center featuring the Pratt United Chorus and other local talents will conclude the Fest.
So come and join us for a Holiday Fest Celebration to kick-off the Holiday Season in East Hartford. Remember to bring non-perishable food items to the events and purchase Holiday Fest buttons to help make the Holiday Season joyous for our neighbors in need. Please spread your Holiday joy and the spirit of giving during this season of sharing and love.
Brochures will be available at locations around town. Holiday Fest buttons will be available at the events and at Town Hall.