“It’s awesome,” said Serven. “It’s just the way to get into the Christmas spirit.”
Serven and thousands of other people came to the town’s main shopping district to kick off the holiday season at the stroll, an annual event designed to bring out joy and good vibes.
Friday’s festivities included Christmas tunes performed by a saxophone ensemble from Saxe Middle School, music on stage from various performers, the lighting of downtown trees and the arrival of Santa Claus.
Serven’s daughter Rebecca, 12, took a liking to the new fire pit, located near the musical stage at the intersection of Elm Street and South Avenue, roasting a marshmallow to enjoy a nice wintertime S’more.
“I like it. It’s a nice way to get into Christmas,” Rebecca said.
Chas Timberlake of New Canaan, who’s visited the Stroll for several years to watch his children perform on stage, said the atmosphere looked like Christmas, or was pretty close. The weather certainly felt that way, with temperatures feeling a little chillier than the lower 40s with the light wind.
“It’s great fun,” he said.
Abigail Russell, originally from Great Britain, enjoyed the scene with her son Lewis, 7.
“It’s a lovely town. They don’t do this in the U.K.,” she said.
Lewis said he enjoyed the lights on the trees and was looking forward to a visit from Santa – or, as he called him, “Father Christmas.”
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