This weekend’s Greenwich Holiday Stroll will feature a live nativity scene, horse drawn carriage rides, professional ice sculpture demos, music and entertainment, children’s activities and a food truck village.
Now in its 10th year, Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Contributed photo
The event features free horse-drawn carriage rides.
Participating retailers and activities and the non-profit organizations can be found on an interactive map accessed online at www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com and by mobile devices.
Parking is free on Sundays.
Photo by Karen Sheer
The First United Methodist Church hosts a live nativity scene featuring live animals — a camel, donkey, llama, cow and sheep.
Live Nativity and Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
A Live Nativity will take place both days from 12:00 to 4:00pm at First United Methodist Church of Greenwich, 59 East Putnam Avenue, featuring five live animals, including a camel.
There will be a blessing of the animals, readings, carols and a live nativity photo booth throughout the afternoon.
Two different complimentary horse drawn carriage rides will operate from 12 noon to 3 p.m. each day.
Carriage stops will be located at Fawcett Place and 53 Greenwich Ave. and in front of 409 Greenwich Ave.
Photo by Karen Sheer
Professional ice sculpture demonstration by a master, Dan Bergin
Professional Ice Sculpture Demonstrations
Ice sculpture demonstrations by professionals from Apple Ice in New York City will take place at 299 Greenwich Avenue from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., each day.
Live Music and Entertainment
A live music entertainment tent will be located at 240 Greenwich Ave., sponsored by Greenwich Hospital. More live music will take place at 3 Pickwick Plaza near the top of Greenwich Avenue, Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market in Riverside and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Byram.
Performances by local groups, made possible by Entertainment Curator Barbara Occhino of BarbaraEntertains.com, will include the New Lebanon School, Grace Notes, The Pop Music Academy, John Cloonan, Barbara’s Serenade, CT Playmakers, Gypsy Moon, Larissa Friedenberg, PROJECT MUSIC, Laura Budzekek, School of Rock (distributing information only) and Riverside School Chorus & Music.
Food and Treats
To satisfy hungry appetites, many of the stores will offer special treats from Greenwich restaurants and caterers, and there will be a Food Truck Village at 290 Greenwich Ave. (by the Havemeyer building) including Melt Mobile, Fryborg, Joey B’s, LobsterCraft and Three Little Pigs.
Merchant Highlights
There will be many activities throughout town including face painting and arts and crafts at the YWCA, a mobile photo booth at Roberta Roller Rabbit, holiday-themed milkshakes at Gofer Ice Cream, trunk shows at Marcus and Richards and much more. Letter writing to Santa and a Santa’s mailbox will take place at about 30 different stores.
10th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village
Also, don’t miss the live reindeer and photos with Santa, carousel and train rides at the 10th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St., through December 24. (Sam Bridge is closed on Sundays.)
This year over 30 participating stores and restaurants will showcase a Greenwich-based non-profit organization to bring awareness to a special cause.
Merchants will display materials and donation boxes and offer raffles and other ways for the community to support local organizations including Meals on Wheels, Greenwich Alliance for Education, Junior League of Greenwich and Breast Cancer Alliance.
For a complete listing of non-profit organizations and merchants, please visit the event website.
You can also find out more on Facebook, Twitter (@ReindeerGwich), and Instagram, (@greenwichreindeerfestival), or by calling 203-531-3047.
—This article previously was published by GreenwichFreePress.com.