Published December 3, 2018
By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — The town celebrated the holiday season in style over the weekend when the 10th annual ‘Tis the Season Holiday Stroll was held on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Hundreds of people converged on the downtown to take part in festivities that ushered in the holiday season.
TOWN COUNCIL CHAIR Peter May, Town Councilor Tony Longo, Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio, State Rep. Paul Brodeur, Town Councilor Julie Smith-Galvin all decked out for the Stroll. (Colleen Riley Photo)
The event kicked off with the traditional Hat Parade while live Christmas music was provided by Wakefield Memorial High School’s Marching Band. To make things even more merry and bright, business owners dressed up their storefronts with wreaths, garland, tinsel and other beautiful decorations.
Special guests included Frosty the Snowman, Santa and Mrs. Claus and Elsa from “Frozen.”
As in past years, the town’s Holiday Stroll began at the Americal Civic Center where children wrote letters to Santa Claus and heard live music and the Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham and Wakefield presented its Festival of Trees. Tote bags were handed out to make shopping easier.
On every street corner something was happening. Spotted were a unicyclist, stilt-walker, carolers, dance performances, horse-drawn carriages and the Roaming Railroad. Adding to the merriment were candy canes, gingerbread cookies and marshmallows roasted over an open fire, along with other seasonal treats.
ALL THE WAY from the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance at the Holiday Stroll. (Mark Sardella Photo)
Inside stores and other businesses, there were musical performances and magic acts along with live models wearing stunning fashions at Rada Boutique and Upscale Consignment.
Participating were Betty’s Bounce, Middlesex Concert Band, Very Merry Dickens Carolers and Wakefield Memorial High School String Ensemble, among other groups.
Sponsors of the event were Wakefield Co-operative Bank, The Savings Bank and Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, among many others.
Event Planning Committee Chairman Paul DiNocco expressed his many thanks to everyone for making this year’s “Tis the Season” Holiday Stroll another great success.
Earlier in the evening, The Living Nativity was presented on the Upper Common, complete with narrators, Christmas Carols to help move the story of Jesus’ birth along, a live “Baby Jesus,” animals, shepherds, the three kings, a “live Star of Bethlehem” and Roman soldiers.
“They worked through the crowd, asking to see people’s papers — even Joseph got questioned,” said Wakefield resident Andrew McRae, adding that the event was “moving.”
