By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield’s Parks & Recreation Department is ready to cheer for the season’s start with their 12th annual holiday extravaganza. This Saturday, November 30, there will be a host of favorite highlights that span the day in a roughly seven-hour period and all events occur within a short distance from each other in the Town’s center.

Residents can start the fun day in a most festive way with a visit to the library to meet Santa, who will be stationed in his workshop and ready to receive wish lists and pose for keeper photos. A word of warning, parents: reservations are required! One registration per family can be created at the following address: https://web1.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/ctnewfairfieldwt.wsc/. Timed visits are available through 3:30 p.m.

Happy helpers, including elves, Frosty, Rudo lph, the Grinch, and more will be on hand to greet families in the library’s snowy front yard. They will assist in making the visit to Santa a merry and bright one for the hundreds of families who attend this event every year. Keep an eye out for Santa’s mailbox, which will be in his workshop, for children to post their letters. They can also call the North Pole via a phone in Santa’s Workshop. Library staff will also be offering craft sessions until 3:30 and special holiday boutiques with gifts galore.

In the same time frame, take a short walk up Route 37 to Veterans Memorial Park, at 13 Route 37, to find baby goats , who will be dressed up for the holidays and ready to snuggle. There’s also an opportunity to take an older goat for a walk, plus there will be materials available to make a free Christmas ornament.

From 12:30-4:30 p.m., many local businesses will be ringing in the season with special treats. Visit Olde 37 Patio & Grille for a free cookie; stop by Froggy’s for free cocoa and coffee; head to the Trend Boutique for a free Christmas treat; and participants over 21 years of age can visit New Fairfield Liquor Shop, Fairwood Wines & Liquors, and Heritage Wine & Liquor for tastings.

From 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., the historic houses behind the Senior Center will be open for a vintage train, toy, and doll show, plus a holiday décor exhibit. Though the rest of the day’s events are free, this is a fundraiser for Preserve New Fairfield and admission is $10 adults, $5 children (under 2 free). Swing back by the library from 3:45-4:30 to enjoy the talented New Fairfield High School (NFHS) musicians who perform in their drumline.

At 5:15 p.m., it’s go time for the visually striking and wholesomely charming Holiday Light Parade. The beloved event will feature a twist by rolling out a new route this year. The parade will start at the Senior Center (33 Route 37) and travel to the center of Town, making a right turn onto Route 39 past Town Hall. Parade participants are invited to join Santa to light the Town tree on Memorial Field. There will be festive sights to see, with many ever-popular fire trucks this year, including some from area towns such as Danbury, New Milford, Sherman, and Putnam Lake, NY.

Immediately following the parade will be the Memorial Field Tree Lighting, which closes the day with a lovely spectacle, including an anticipation-heavy countdown by Santa, who does the honors of plugging in the lights. In addition to the big moment, there will be caroling, featuring the NFHS Chamber Ensemble, who will perform classic holiday hits. Complimentary cookies and cocoa will once again be flowing—many thanks to both Starbucks and to GIl’s Auto and Truck Repair, who sponsors the cocoa. On that note, NF Parks and Recreation Director Linda Lull asked to give a shout out of thanks to all of the volunteers who help make these events successful.

Beyond the November 30 extravaganza , be sure to watch for details on the Town’s Parks & Rec website, parksandrecreation@newfairfield.org, regarding the popular New Fairfield Great Holiday Light Displays. The displays will run from mid-December to just before Christmas. Residents interested in joining in on the fun with a display should call the NF Parks & Rec office at 203-312-5633 to register.