Illuminations celebration on Saturday

IVORYTON —Ivoryton will hold the ninth annual Ivoryton Illuminations on Saturday. 5-8 p.m., with the village participating in this holiday celebration. Activities in clude caroling, Santa’s Grotto and a Holiday Bazaar, culminating with the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the state’s largest living Christmas Tree at 6 p.m.. Ivoryton will light up the holiday with more than 400,000 lights throughout the village.

Family activities from 5 p.m. on include writing letters to Santa and cards to soldiers; Christmas craft making and visits with Santa in the Ivoryton Playhouse. Bring a camera for pictures. A Holiday Bazaar features community and local church groups in the firehouse; an Elf Scavenger Hunt, cookie decorating, activities at iCRV Radio, a Petting Zoo provided by Circle K Farm, and special events at The Ivoryton Tavern and Cafe, Blue Hound Cookery and Taproom and Six Summit Gallery. Music will be provided by local musicians.

There will also be a Stuff-aCruiser to support Shoreline Soup Kitchens and a book signing by Caryn B. Davis, author and photographer of “A Connecticut Christmas: Celebrating the Holiday in Classic New England Style” at the Ivoryton Library.

Free parking is available at the First Congregational Church with a shuttle bus service to the village. The Illuminations will shine brightly through Jan. 5; visitors can tune their car radios to 101.5FM and watch as the lights dance to the music.

This event is organized entirely by volunteers. Major sponsors are Christmas Décor, Essex Lions Club, Essex Rotary, Essex Saving Bank, Essex Steam Train, Hocon Gas, LC Doane, Gary Riggio, Saybrook Ford and Jay Wilcox. Other supporters: Essex Police Union, Gowrie Group, Robinson and Wright and Westbrook Elks.

For more information, visit www.ivorytonalliance.org

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Contributed photo Ivoryton will host is annual "Illuminations" holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1. Left, Santa Claus arrives at last year's event.