This Weekend’s

Holiday Events

Newtown traditionally spends the first weekend in December celebrating the holidays, and 2010 is no different. Three separate tree lightings are planned, a number of groups are hosting special fundraisers, and the 25th Annual Newtown Holiday Festival returns on Sunday, December 5.

The following is a listing of holiday related activities planned for this weekend. See the Community Calendar on page A-2 for the listing of meetings and other special events.

Friday, December 3

Newtown Tree Lighting, 6:30 pm, Ram Pasture, Elm Drive, caroling, hot chocolate, visits with Santa and Mrs Claus, all leading to lighting of town’s Christmas tree.

“You Can Never Have Enough Christmas” Boutique, 6:30 to 10 pm, St Rose of Lima Parish Hall, 40 Church Hill Road, $10 includes admission to boutique, special exhibition of crèches from around the world, and refreshments (event continues to Sunday, see different admissions Saturday and Sunday), 203-426-1014.

Saturday, December 4

50th Annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast, 8 am to 1 pm, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main Street, $7, $3 ages 10 and under, all you can eat pancakes and sausage, applesauce and beverages, also Amber Alert, Purple Pinkie Program, and Wheels For Kids information; 203-426-1230.

Garden Club of Newtown Annual Greens Sale, 9 am to 1 pm, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, wreaths, swags and table arrangements decorated with plants grown and dried by members, also tabletop items, book signings and visits with author Sydney Eddison (9–11 only), proceeds benefit local scholarship fund and community projects; 203-270-1108.

Holiday Book Sale, 9:30 am to 5 pm, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, large selection of books, DVDs and CDs in many categories, all in gift-giving condition, at deeply discounted prices, hosted by Friends of C.H. Booth Library, proceeds to benefit library, sale continues on Sunday; 203-426-4533.

“You Can Never Have Enough Christmas” Boutique continues, 10 am to 7 pm, St Rose of Lima Parish Hall, 40 Church Hill Road, Christmas decorations and gifts in variety of prices and interests, also “Bethlehem Night” (special exhibition of crèches from around the world, $5/person, $20/family), refreshments, continues to Sunday; 203-426-1014.

Sandy Hook Center Tree Lighting, begins 4 pm, Washington Avenue at Church Hill Road, karaoke, visits with Santa, refreshments, face painting, open houses at local businesses, jewelry raffles, singing, 3-D glasses and more, leading up to and continuing after lighting of tree in The Glen.

Sunday, December 5

Final day of “You Can Never Have Enough Christmas” Boutique, 8 am to 2 pm, St Rose of Lima Parish Hall, 40 Church Hill Road, see December 3 details.

Holiday Book Sale continues, 10 am to 5 pm, C.H. Booth Library, see December 4 details.

Newtown Historical Society Open House, 11 am to 5 pm, Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main Street, free, docent-led tours, storytellers, warm cider and refreshments, timed to coincide with Newtown Holiday Festival; 203-426-5937.

25th annual Newtown Holiday Festival, 11 am to 5 pm, Main Street locations including C.H. Booth Library, Edmond Town Hall and Trinity Church, $15 individual, $25 family (two adults & two children; $5 each additional child), Victorian Tea, ballet, children’s crafts, photos with Santa, Gingerbread House contest, Festival of Trees and tours of private homes, proceeds benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services; 203-426-4335.

Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent, 2 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street, readings from Old Testament related to Advent and birth of Christ, interspersed with carols; 203-426-9070.

Hawleyville Tree Lighting, 5 to 6 pm, Hawleyville Post Office Plaza, 23 Barnabas Road, Mrs & Santa Claus arriving via Hawleyville fire truck, refreshments, songs of the season, new toys collected for The Newtown Fund.