Holiday season will look different in New Canaan
Downtown New Canaan has begun decorating for the holidays, but the season will be different, like the rest of 2020.
The two-night Holiday Stroll, which had started the first Friday in December with the illumination of the downtown lights and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, will not be held this year, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laura Budd said.
“I cannot host an event where I invited 500 or more people to come into town over a two-hour or more period,” Budd said. “The traditional Friday night stroll, we’re not going to be able to have it.
Limits on the size of gatherings also threaten the traditional Christmas Eve Carol Sing on God’s Acre, a holiday event held annual for a century. Administrative Officer Tucker Murphy said discussions have begun about possible alternatives should it be canceled.
Budd is planning alternatives to downtown events, with an aim of having them Dec. 5, traditionally the second day of the Holiday Stroll, such as photos with Santa taken “in a safe environment.”
Put up the biggest string of lights ...
Crews from Hutchinson Tree Care have been downtown stringing lights from tree to tree in anticipation of the holidays. The lights will be turned on, even if it’s not at the familiar Holiday Stroll.
The Chamber of Commerce continues to collect donations toward the more than 400 strands of lights that decorate some 50 trees downtown. It takes 150 man hour to prep and maintain the lights, and to replace bulbs.
Donations can be online at newcanaanchamber.com/ holiday-lights or via via check made out to New Canaan Chamber Charitable Foundation and mailed to 91 Elm St., New Canaan, CT 06840.
The foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the New Canaan Chamber Charitable Foundation, Inc. are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Budd said families and businesses may also sponsor the garlands that will decorate the lampposts downtown.
Gingerbread houses
Young architects and builders are invited to participate in the Chamber’s Annual Gingerbread House Tour. Halstead, which is becoming Brown Harris Stevens, is again sponsoring the event by purchasing the 150 kits as well as hosting the pickup day at its Elm Street office.
The creations will be displayed during the month of December in the windows of more than 80 New Canaan stores.
Like all things in 2020 the process of handing out the Gingerbread House kits will change to ensure the safety of everyone involved. This year the kits will be reserved online via a link on newcanaanchamber.com at 10 a.m. Nov. 18.
“We expect the 150 kits will go quickly, so we encourage families to reserve one that morning,” Budd said.
When reserving a kit, select a pickup time on Nov. 20, at the Halstead office at 183 Elm St. The drive-through pickup will be held between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and will be contactless. Drivers will remain in vehicles and a Halstead agent will place the kit in the car, along with the assigned store for that family’s gingerbread house.
Houses should be delivered to stores on Dec. 1 or Dec. 2.
This year, Halstead is a local stop for Inspirica Toy Drive. A list of needed towns can be found at newcanaanchamber.com.
Questions can be directed to the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce at 203-966-2004 or office@newcanaanchamber.com.