Holiday Stroll returns for 14th year
WALLINGFORD — Downtown businesses in Wallingford are already spreading holiday cheer with festive decorations, gearing up for several upcoming celebrations that aim to promote local shops and bring the community together.
While the day after Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the holiday shopping season, the Saturday following Black Friday has gained recognition as Small Business Saturday, a nationwide initiative supporting small, independent businesses. Additionally, on Friday, the 14th Annual Wallingford Holiday Stroll, sponsored by Wallingford Center Inc. and the Wallingford Park & Rec., will take place from 4-9 p.m., showcasing various downtown businesses.
During the Holiday Stroll, visitors can immerse themselves in the season’s spirit while enjoying live music, kettle corn, a bonfire, magnificent ice sculptures, roasted chestnuts, and a selection of food trucks, including Crispy Melty and Rogue Coffee, at Johanna Manfreda Fishbein Park. Furthermore, youngsters and families may even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus himself, along with a few other surprises along the way.
Liz Davis of Wallingford Center Inc. expressed her anticipation for this beloved event, stating, The town has had this for so long that it has a life of its own to celebrate. This is like a kick-off to the holidays for Wallingford. It’s always the first Friday of December each year.
To further encourage participation, many of the merchants will keep their shops open later than usual during the stroll. Each participating merchant will also provide raffle tickets, which will be collected at the end of the night.
The merchants will have a raffle box at the stores where you can fill out a ticket. You can only fill out one per store, and you have to be 18 years old, Davis explained. At the end of the night, we collect all the raffle boxes from each of the merchants and will do a live drawing on Friday, Dec. 8. That is when the winners will be announced.
The raffle prizes consist of various gift baskets that include gift cards of different values. Davis emphasized that the gift cards are sourced from shops throughout Wallingford, highlighting the initiative’s mission to support local businesses.
This is another way to attract people and get people to see the different merchants, Davis added.
Last year, the Holiday Stroll attracted approximately 800 attendees. This year promises an even greater turnout, with over 75 merchants confirmed to participate, up from 62 the previous year.
Various local businesses are eager to join the festivities. Healing Hand Chiropractic will serve hot cider, while HUBCAP Wallingford plans to distribute information and holiday trinkets. Maddie’s Craft Shack will be providing free kids ornament craft kits. Additionally, Le Jardin Cafe and Achiq Designs will offer a 20% discount on all silver jewelry collections.
Newcomers to the Wallingford business scene, such as the Six One Nine Supper Club and Bees Knees Bistro, will be serving delectable treats available for purchase. Bees Knees Bistro’s co-owner, Jena Schlosser, expressed her excitement about participating in the Holiday Stroll, stating, We’re looking forward to this being a preview prior to our future opening date. We cannot wait to welcome all and be a part of this thriving community of Wallingford.
Following the Holiday Stroll, the town will host the annual Seasons of Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1-6 p.m. This event will feature various activities throughout the downtown area, including visits with Santa, carriage rides, games, ice carving, and much more. At 5 p.m., the Frost Parade will depart from Town Hall, ending at Johanna Manfreda Fishbein Park. The evening will culminate in a special tree lighting ceremony, preceded by Mayor William W. Dickinson reading the classic tale, Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The Downtown Wallingford Holiday Stroll draws more and more people to the Town Center each year, remarked Wallingford Economic Development Director Don Crouch. The event is a great opportunity to support local businesses and gets you into the holiday spirit. The stroll brings the Wallingford community together and is certainly a fun night out.
With its array of festive activities and support for local businesses, the Wallingford Holiday Stroll promises to be a memorable occasion for all attendees. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the magic of the holiday season in the heart of Wallingford.
