Published in the December 1, 2017 edition.
WAKEFIELD — The town will once again be transformed into a holiday wonderland beginning tonight.
Thanks to a number of organizations, Wakefield will come alive with the seasonal spirit when the Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association hosts the annual Common tree lighting, the First Parish Congregational Church has a pie social, the Event Planning Committee puts on tomorrow’s ‘Tis The Season Holiday Stroll, Polymnia Choral Society performs its winter concert “Polar Landscape Saturday night and the Middlesex Concert Band plays its Carols and Cookies Holiday Concert Sunday afternoon.
The Congregational Church’s pie social — which includes hot drinks and tower bell ringing — begins around 6 p.m. at the stone church on Church Street.
The WCNA will then flip the switch on the town’s holiday lights at the Common around 6:30 p.m. This is another family-oriented affair, and will include hot chocolate and a visit from Frosty the Snowman.
The Most Blessed Sacrament Church Women’s Guild will hold its annual Holly Festival and Craft Fair Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parish hall.
The annual tradition called The Holiday Stroll will begin around 2:30 p.m. Saturday in front of the Americal Civic Center. The Hat Parade will kick off at 3 p.m. Take part in the Hat Parade; everyone is invited to join in. Show your holiday spirit. Wear your favorite hat or specially designed hat. March amongst Disney characters, cartoon characters, state and local politicians, and local school students. The parade will be led by the Wakefield High School Marching Band, then proceed down Main Street and end at Beebe Library.
From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., come enjoy a family friendly, fun day in Wakefield. Part of Main Street and Albion Street will be closed to traffic. Along with the festive treats, giveaways and specials, there will be non-stop indoor/outdoor entertainment. Carriages will be making their way up and down Main Street, and fire pits will be blazing to keep you warm. Stop by The Savings Bank with the kids to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and make sure they drop their letter into Santa’s Mailbox. Don’t forget to visit the popcorn stand, located in front of the Wakefield Co-Operative Bank. The Boy Scouts will be selling wreaths in front of Sabatino’s.
New to the Holiday Stroll the ‘Ice Palace”, a place to warm up, meet up with friends & family. Ice Palace will feature entertainment, food offered from Laurie’s 909, and holiday drinks. Valerie Giglio, a native of Wakefield and a professional vocalist will be performing holiday tunes; and also signing her book “Singing in My own Key: A Vocalist’s Triumph Over Stroke”.
Catch a ride on the horse-drawn carriage for a ride up and down Main Street ($5 per person –children less than 36” free with adult). Stops will be in front of J’Adore, Brothers and at the Ice Palace, all on Main Street.
Entertainment includes Betty’s Bounce, Casper the Spectacular, North Ave Duo, Merry Dickens Carolers, Middlesex Concert Band, Roaming Railroad, Valerie Giglio, The Lucky Show, Wakefield Music, The Mac Stevens Duo, Magic Mike, Paint the Moon, Elf on Stilts, Peter Panic Juggler, Richie Smith Music, and Boston Muza Duo. From the Galvin Middle School; the GMS band and Chamber Chorus; from the High School; Wakefield High School Marching Band, Strings, and Acapella. Dance studios Catch the Funk, Dance Studio of Wakefield and Dance Track will be performing on the Beebe Library Plaza.
At 5 p.m., there will be a Living Nativity presented near the Bandstand on the Lower Common by members of the First Parish Congregational Church.
Polymnia’s “Polar Landscape” is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the First Parish Congregational Church.
The next afternoon, the Middlesex Concert Band will presents its always-popular Carols and Cookies Holiday Concert in the Galvin Middle School auditorium beginning at 3 p.m.
There will be something for everyone this weekend as the town ushers in the holidays.
See you there.
