A FESTIVE penguin visiting the North Pole catches up on the latest news back home about the Holiday Stroll in the Wakefield Daily Item. The scene was created from the imaginations of WMHS art students Amber Drinkwater (left), Brianna Racamato and (missing from photo) Helen Salvatore. Dozens of WMHS art students helped transform downtown Wakefield storefronts into a colorful winter wonderland to celebrate the holidays in conjunction with the Holiday Stroll events. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Published in the December 4, 2015 edition.
WAKEFIELD — The stage has been set for the 2015 “Tis the Season Holiday Stroll” tomorrow in downtown Wakefield. Albion Street and a portion of Main Street will be closed to traffic from 1 to 7:15 p.m.
Here’s some of what the Events Planning Committee has in store for tomorrow:
1–3 p.m., Pre-Parade Activities – Americal Civic Center: Start the day by dropping off two or more items at the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry set up in the Civic Center stroll area. Enter your name into a drawing for a Farmland Gift Certificate.
The theme for the children’s activities will be Snoopy and Friends.
Enjoy refreshments, entertainment and hands-on activities. Mingle with a collection of TV and movie characters. At 2:30 p.m. the official “Holiday Stroll” tote bag will be given to the first 500 strollers. Inside the bag will be a listing of some of the merchants who are taking their involvement one step further by offering specials through the end of 2015. Strollers will also find a map of the event, with a listing of the entertainment times and locations. Copies of the map and entertainment times will also be available at the Holiday Merchant Center at 9 Albion St.
From the Civic Center revelers can participate in the Holiday Stroll Hat Parade. Parade formation starts at 2:45 p.m. Wear your favorite hat or specially designed hat and use your imagination. March with your favorite cartoon/movie characters. The parade, led by the Wakefield Memorial High School Marching Band, will proceed down Main Street and end at the Beebe Library.
“The Holiday Stroll” is a unique event that showcases Wakefield’s businesses and students. After the parade, stop into the participating businesses for tempting treats, special offers and holiday-themed entertainment. The town’s merchants will stay open late and invite everyone into their businesses.
Entertainment and children’s activities will be scattered throughout the downtown area. Santa’s Mailbox will be awaiting
children’s letters to Santa. Don’t forget to venture down Albion Street where many of the children’s activities will be taking place. On your way, drop by the popcorn stand, compliments to Chris Callanan, owner of North Shore Pool & Spa.
Plan to take a ride on one of the three horse-drawn carriages that will carry you up and down Main Street and Albion Street ($5 p/p, children less than 36 inches free with adult. Also, take a ride on the roaming railroad ($3 per ride), which will be traveling up and down Albion Street.
Look for the Boy Scouts who will be selling holiday wreaths on Main Street. The Holiday Merchant Center at 9 Albion St. will be hosting Doyle and Walton PTOs, Sweetser Lecture Series and Hartshorne House. Dolbeare PTO will be set up on the street as well as the Junior Girl Scouts Troop 61561 which will be selling hot chocolate.
Meet the AMP 103.3 Street Team from 4-7 p.m. They may have a little something special for you!
First Parish Congregational Church – To end the evening, at 7 p.m., stroll over to the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St. for a one-hour Organ & Christmas Sing-a-Long.
