The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Tree lighting to include block party
Evening will feature ‘Grinch’ film, caroling, chili cook-off
CROMWELL — The holiday season will get off to a festive start Saturday, with an enhanced celebration.
The mayor’s tree lighting, singing of carols and holiday block party will take place on the World War I Memorial Green at 5 West St., across from police headquarters, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will include an outdoor showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on the new Pierson Park scoreboard and a chili cook-off, Mayor Enzo Faienza said.
The “family holiday gathering” is sponsored by the mayor’s office in conjunction with the Recreation Department, Economic Development Commission and Cromwell Farmers Market. Market Manager Heather Polke “approached me last year about kicking the celebration up a notch,” Faienza said.
“Heather knows lot of different vendors, so it was easy for us to come together” for last year’s event. “The first one was a huge success,” which encouraged organizers to expand their efforts this year, he added.
There will be several food trucks along with the chili contest in the Cromwell Fire House. “This is just a case of the town and the farmers market coming together to do something wonderful for the town and the residents,” Faienza said.
The event begins with hot cocoa, cookies and caroling from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., with Ray Sinclair leading the high school chorus. They will be joined by baritone Richard F. Donohue.
The evergreen tree in the center of the Green, decorated by a Department of Public Works crew, will be lighted at 5 p.m. At the same time, the holiday tree in front of Town Hall also will also be lighted , Town Manager Anthony J. Salvatore said.
In the spirit of the holidays, Santa Claus is poised to make a guest appearance at 5:15 p.m.
Last year’s ceremony was held at Town Hall. But moving it to the Green allowed officials to coordinate a larger event, as well as take advantage of the new scoreboard while bringing more residents to the town’s historic downtown, Salvatore said.
The “Grinch” presentation will be a preview of a proposed summer film series, as the Pierson Park big screen can be used to show movies. In addition, the celebration will include Main Street door-decorating and a wreath toss.
“A lot of work went into this event,” Faienza said.
He thanked Sinclair and the high school chorus, Polke, Recreation Director Scott Kieras, Director of Public Works Louis J. Spina and the department’s crew, Town Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director Jon Harriman, Town Planner/Economic Development Coordinator Stuart Popper, Police Chief Denise Lamontagne “and all the town staff ” for their work bringing the night together.