2019 East Hartford Holiday Fest
The Town of East Hartford, the East Hartford Beautification Commission and East Hartford Parks and Recreation invite you to the annual 2019 East Hartford Holiday Fest held from Friday, December 6 through Monday, December 9.
The four-day event consists of over 25 various fun events ranging between crafts and book sales, carol signing and Christmas Fair as well as the long-awaited visit from Santa. The events cater to all ages, children and adults alike. Most activities are free and open to the public.
Holiday Fest is annually organized by the East Hartford Beautification Commission and is supported by many local civic, community and town organizations. The traditional tree lighting on the Town Green will be held on Friday, December 6, to kick off the Holiday Fest’s 27th year.
As in years past, the Holiday Fest Committee is asking the public to help out their neighbors in need and donate to a number of different East Hartford-based charities. There will be food collection stations set up at each event where visitors can donate non-perishable food items. These items will then be donated to the Food Bank. East Hartford Social Services is sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive to benefit the youth of East Hartford. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for ages 0—10 (especially for ages 0-2 and 8-10) as well as new hats, scarves, mittens and gloves for all ages are needed. Please make your donations by December 2, either at the East Hartford Community Cultural Center Parks & Recreation Office, 50 Chapman Place or at the Social Services Department at the following times:
- Social Services:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
- Parks and Rec:
Monday—Wednesday, 8:30 AM—4:30 PM
Thursday, 8:30 AM—7:30 PM
Friday, 8:30 AM—12:30 PM
2019 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
10 AM—4 PM: HOLIDAY BOOK SALE
Adult & children books to read or holiday giving. Sponsored by and held at the Raymond Library Meeting Room 1, 840 Main Street.
10 AM—3 PM: CRAFT SALE
Riverside Health Craft Fair. Visit craft vendors for your holiday shopping needs. 745 Main Street.
6:30 PM: TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND SING-A-LONG ON THE TOWN GREEN.
Sponsored by the Beautification Commission and Parks & Recreation Department. The EH High & Middle School Chorus will be on hand. Featuring the traditional visits from Frosty, Rudolph and, of course, Santa Claus. Guest emcee will be Mike Alan, Air Traffic Reporter from WTIC AM.
6:30—8:30 PM: UNDERWATER PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Get out of the cold and take a dip in the East Hartford High School pool from 6:30-8:30PM. Open to families and includes an underwater photo with “Scuba Santa!” Admission is a new unwrapped toy. sponsored by the Park & Rec Dept.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
8—10:30 AM: PANCAKE BREAKFAST & VISIT WITH SANTA.
Cost is $5.00 and $3.00 for a picture with Santa. Held at First Congregational Church, 837 Main St. Proceeds to benefit East Hartford families at Christmas. No reservations needed.
8—10:30 AM & 4:30-6:30 PM: CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE.
Hand crafted ornaments, wreaths, wall decor, gift baskets, candy & kitchen knives. Sponsored and held at First Congregational Church, 837 Main St.
9 AM—12 NOON: COOKIE WALK
Dozens of different varieties of holiday cookies to choose from. $8.00 per pound. Held at South Congregational Church, 1301 Forbes St.
9 AM—2 PM: CHRISTMAS FAIR
“Fantastic Waffles, Chili & Soup”, poinsettias, crafts, baked goods, cookie walk and Christmas ornaments for sale. Held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 444 Hills St.
9 AM— 4:30 PM: SNOWFLAKE SCAVENGER HUNT/DROP-IN CRAFT
Adult & children books to read or holiday giving. Sponsored by and held at the Raymond Library Rm 1.
10 AM—1 PM: GOODWIN TROLEY TOUR
Ride the "Main Street Local" with guide Robert Pasek as he takes you on a guided tour of historical Main Street.
10 AM—2 PM: POINSETTIA SALE
Sponsored by EH Lions Club held at Raymond Library.
10 AM—4 PM: HOLIDAY BOOK SALE
Adult&children books to read or holiday giving. Sponsored by and held at the Raymond Library.
11:00 AM—12:00 PM: READ TO THE DOGS
Children can meet Healers with Halos therapy dogs to read their favorite tales.
11:00 AM—2 PM: BOOK SIGNING AT RAYMOND LIBRARY
East Hartford autor Kim Sirois Pital will sign her book "SPLIT ENDZ: A Tale of 2 Crazy Sisters."
2 PM: HENRY HAMMOND AHL BIRTHDAY PARTY
Celebrate the artist's 150th birthday!
1:30 PM — 4 PM: MEET THE MAKERSPACE
See our new technology in action including the 3D printers, Carvey, green screen and more! All ages welcome. Held at Raymond Library Creative Commons.
2-4 PM: "CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT"
A holiday piano concert presented by East Hartford's Paul Bisaccia, celebrated world renowned pianist and featuring New York vocalist David Giardina.
4:00 PM: CAROL SING
The community is invited to gather by the church courtyard for a carol sing. Held at First Congregational Church, 837 Main St.
4:30 - 6:30 PM: SPAGHETTI SUPPER
Continuous serving. Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 1. $10 per person, $8 seniors, $5 children 5-13. Children under 5 free. Proceeds benefit the East Hartford Food Bank. Everyone welcome and held at First Congregational Church, 837 Main St.
7:00 PM: "THE COMMUNITY POT"
A play that follows two youth that have lost their home.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
8:30 AM—11:30 AM: HOLIDAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST & BOOK SALE
Come enjoy “Special Holiday Pancakes”, sausages and beverages. Shop for Holiday items, books and videos. Cost adults $5, under 14 $3. Held at the Hillstown Grange, 617 Hills St. Book sale will be upstairs in the newly-renovated library
11 AM—3 PM: CHRISTMAS AT THE 1830 BREWER HOUSE
You are cordially invited to enjoy Victorian Christmas decorations, the restored lithograph of Hartford and a specially-prepared exhibit.
11:30 AM: HOLIDAY BRUNCH
$26.50 per person. Advance Purchase Only. Call for reservations: 860-568-0065 by Nov. 25th. Sponsored by the East Hartford Democratic Women’s Club. Held at Tastebuds, 1450 Main Street.
1PM—3:30 PM: SANTA'S VISIT
Visit with Santa, arts & crafts, animatronic rides, inflatables, snacks & more plus a family show featuring “The Grinch” at 2:30 PM. Held at the EHCCC.
1PM— 3:30 PM: HORSE DRAWN WAGON
Enjoy a ride after visiting Santa at the Center. Held at the Town Green and sponsored by Beautification Commission and Parks & Recreation Department.
1PM – 2:30 PM: LIVE ICE SCULPTURE DEMONSTRATION
Enjoy a professional ice-carving demonstration outside the Community Cultural Center. Sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department.
4:30 PM: A CONCERT OF CHRISTMAS AND CLASSICAL MUSIC
Performed by the Manchester High School Orchestra at Faith Lutheran Church, 1120 Silver Lane.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10
10 AM— 7 PM: HOLIDAY BOOK SALE
Adult & children books to read or holiday giving. Sponsored by & held at the Raymond Library Rm 1.
5:30 PM: LIGHTING OF THE TREE OF LIGHTS
On the “Pocket Park” at Main St. and Connecticut Boulevard. Sponsored by the East Hartford Woman’s Club to benefit E.H. Human Needs Fund. Purchase a light in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one ‑ $5.00. Contact: 860-568-5188.
7:00 PM: MUSICAL FEST
A musical celebration by United Pratt Chorus and members of the East Hartford community and local churches. Sponsored and held at Riverside Health Care Center, 745 Main St.
East Hartford Holiday Fest is organized by the East Hartford Beautification Commission and proudly supported by:
All Saint's Episcopal Church, Boy Scouts -Troop 1, Circle of Life, Arts for All, Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, Democrating Women's Club, EH Lion's Club,EH Rotary club, EH Community TV,EH Summer Youth Festival,EH Woman's Club,Exchange Club of EH, Faith Lutheran Church, EH Fire Department, First Choice Health Centers, Inc., First Congregational Church, the Gazette, Hall of Fame Silver Lanes, Hillstown Grange, Mike Alan of WTIC AM, EH Parks and Recreation Department, EH Police Department, EH Public Library, EH Public Schools, EH Public Works Department, Riverside Health Care Center, Santa Claus, Service Press, South Congregational Church.