Isabel Hetherington
Reporter
As the cold December wind blows into New Canaan, the town gathers together to celebrate the holiday season. From the trees to the window displays, the whole town is covered in lights, giving off a sense of magic. Kids run through the streets with light-up trinkets, watching dancers tap to Santa Clause is Coming to Town. Parents stroll into stores to get a head start on their holiday shopping, while teens eat their hearts out. This can only mean one thing: it’s time for the Holiday Stroll.
The 7th Annual Holiday Stroll, inspired by a Nantucket tradition, began on Dec. 2 from 6 – 9 p.m. and continued on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A variety of Christmas characters, including Santa and his elves, were available for photo opportunities, and the Waffle Cabin served hot waffles. The proceeds from the event went to benefit the Saxe Middle School Parent Teacher Committee.
The Holiday Stroll, sponsored with the help of local businesses such as Milestones, Karl Chevrolet, L’Armoire and New Canaan Advertiser, is run by the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. As one of the Chamber’s main events, it is meant to reinforce the commitment to the New Canaan community and local commerce. A lot of hard work was put into planning the event, with the Chamber meeting once a week since August.
Each year the Chamber of Commerce works to make the stroll better than the last. This year, the addition of an ice sculptor entertained many attendees. “Every year the event offers such potential,” Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce Tucker Murphy said. “Next year my goal is to get a synthetic ice rink, which I think would be something the whole town could enjoy.”
New Canaan Dance Academy (NCDA) and The Studio both contributed to the entertainment by providing singers and dancers to help spread the cheer. Junior Emma Fitchtner was one of the performers from NCDA, and partook in the hip-hop and dance routines. Emma, who has had three years of experience dancing at the Holiday Stroll, noted that there has been an increase in the audience. “It gets bigger and bigger every year,” she said. “[Performing is] fun because everyone’s cheering you on. It not only provides entertainment, but also gets people in the holiday spirit.”
During the dancer’s routine, barriers had to hold crowds back from watching the talented NCDA students. “I was very impressed with the performance in general,”sophomore Rachel Tomson said. “It was awesome to watch.”
According to sophomore Sara Musicco, the Belgian waffles served by the Waffle House were the highlight of the night. “You’ve gotta get the Waffle House there; it’s amazing,” she said.
Many different restaurants, such as Le Pan Quotidien, offered samples throughout Elm Street. The event also offered a great opportunity for family and friends to bond over the holiday season, with many other restaurants, such as the New Canaan Diner, being crowded with families. “Their holiday decorations created a welcoming atmosphere for local families and friends to dine,” junior Liza Swindell said.
Other families attended the Holiday Stroll sporting holiday attire, such as Santa hats and light up green and red headbands. Freshmen Shaan Appell noticed that the stroll helps to bring the town together. “The stroll offered a sense of community, as residents joined together to celebrate the holidays,” he said.
