It’s time to get in the holiday spirit! On Saturday, November 25, local clubs, businesses, and organizations will be working together to bring residents a day and night of holiday fun.
From 12:30pm-3:30pm, New Fairfield Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with the New Fairfield Library, presents Santa’s Workshop and Gingerbread House. Children can visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves at Santa’s Workshop upstairs at the New Fairfield Free Public Library. During their visit, children will receive a free book courtesy of New Fairfield Parks and Recreation and its Commission. Stop by the Children’s Library to visit the gingerbread man in his house and don’t forget to bring your camera! Photos will be taken with Santa by reserved time slot only until 3:30pm by calling (203) 312-5633.
The HART Transit Trolley will be ready to give residents a ride to various stops in town from 12:30pm-3:30pm. The trolley will stop in front of Town Hall making stops around the town center and returning to Town Hall.
Local businesses in the center of town will be celebrating the day in conjunction with Small Business Saturday with specials for the whole family.
At Sarah’s Gift N’ Ship children will have their choice of one FREE holiday craft to make. Crafts include jingle-bell necklace and Christmas ornament (children can bring wallet size photo for the ornament). Children can also participate in a FREE in-store scavenger hunt and raffle. The Goodie Shoppe will be offering children hot chocolate for $1.50. The New Fairfield Food Center invites children to stop by for a special holiday treat. Bruno’s Pizzeria invites patrons to receive one slice of cheese pizza for $1.00. Stop by Olde 37 Patio & Grill for a free hot cider and cookie. Participants age 21 and older can visit Fairwood Wines & Liquors for a tasting of a variety of wine, Heritage Wine & Liquor and New Fairfield Liquor Shop for a tasting of a variety of wine and champagne.
From 1:00pm-3:00pm, join Kaleidoscope Art & Entertainment in the Children’s Library for grab and go balloon designs or watch balloon creation come to life. Preserve New Fairfield will open the Hubble House Museum located on Rte 37. A pewter Christmas ornament and other gifts will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be offered.
Also during the afternoon, join the New Fairfield Historical Society at the Little Red Schoolhouse for refreshments, a children’s craft, or come to view the decorated schoolhouse. Throughout the day, from 12:00pm-6:00pm, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation will be collecting toys at Memorial Field for their “Toys for Texas” drive. The donated toys will be brought down to Texas for distribution by members of the New York Fire Department to children on Saturday, December 9 at churches in Orange and Beaumont, Texas. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy.
At 5:15pm, as the sun begins to set, the Holiday Light Parade steps off at Dunham Drive. The parade will begin at the intersection of Saw Mill Rd. and Rte 37. The parade will turn right onto Rte 37 heading towards the traffic light, then bear left at light and proceed past Town Hall. Families won’t want to miss the hard work of all of our local organizations and their festive float displays! Santa will arrive at the end of the parade and make his way down to Memorial Field for the Holiday Tree Lighting at 5:45pm.
After the parade, the New Fairfield High School Chamber Ensemble will sing holiday carols at the gazebo. Free refreshments will be served by Starbucks, hot chocolate provided by the New Fairfield Booster Club and New Fairfield Parks & Recreation Commission and hot cider and treats provided by St. Edward’s Church. Cookies will be provided by the New Fairfield Senior Center.
New Fairfield Parks and Recreation Director Linda Lull stated, “This the town’s sixth annual parade and tree lighting. Every year we like to add to the day to bring in more floats and activities. This year we have 35 floats, the most we’ve ever had, participating in the parade. Santa’s workshop would not be possible without the help of the ladies at the library. Our Parks and Recreation Commission volunteers spend many hours putting this event together. The support of the town, New Fairfield Public Works, NF Fire Police and NF Police Department to help close the roads and keep the public safe make the day’s events possible.” Ms. Lull went on to say thank you to “Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves – the other costume volunteers – Gingerbread Man, Frosty, Rudolf as well as businesses helping this year.”
“Many hours go into the floats and it is amazing to see the groups, organizations and business and what they come up with and create. We are in awe when the floats come down the road. Many thanks to all of the Parks and Rec members and staff who help us keep reservations and track the ins and outs of this event. It takes a village,” she exclaimed.
This year’s floats will be NFHS Drum Line, NFHS Color Guard, Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs, New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Shelter, SAS School of Dance, New Fairfield Dental, Great Hollow, The Falcons Football, The Falcons Cheer, New Fairfield Cub Scout Pack 137, Portofino’s Restaurant, New Fairfield Loins Club, HART Transit Trolley, Saint Edwards Church, the New Fairfield Food Center, 98Q radio, Bruno’s Pizzeria, Winter’s Brothers, Mitchell Oil, Gil’s Gulf, Rywolt Farm with Excel Landscaping, ServPro, New Fairfield Public Works, Candlewood-Brookfield Fire Department, Southbury Fire Department, Putnam Lake Fire Department, Danbury Wooster Fire Department, Danbury Independent Hose Company, New Fairfield Company A, New Fairfield Squantz Pond, and New Fairfield Ball Pond with Santa. Don’t miss this joyful start to the holiday season and a fun, festive night right here in New Fairfield!
By Kate Mattiace