Kent at Christmas

Kent loves a party and there will be plenty to celebrate in the coming weeks. The town will usher in the yuletide season Saturday with its annual Holiday Fest.

The feeling of Christmas is enhanced by more seasonal temperatures so New Englanders can truly feel the spirit of the season. The town is decked out in its holiday apparel and visitors can marvel at the creativity of local bakers who have pulled out all stops to participate in the 13th annual Kent Gingerbread Festival.

Last year, the bakers created everything from castles to cabins, nutcrackers to North Pole drive-ins.
The houses are to be displayed at various shops and galleries throughout town during December. Riddle maps are available at shops encouraging visitors to find the hidden Gingerbread Men at shops that cannot accommodate full-fledged houses and to win a prize.

Things ramp up on Saturday when the town unveils the Holiday Fest. The Kent Volunteer Fire Department will hold its spectacular Parade of Lights at 6PM along Main Street. Everyone is welcome to participate in the parade. To reserve a spot, contact Mary Ann VanValkenberg, 860-488-1239.

Following the parade there will be a party at the firehouse, 28 Maple Street. Stop in after the parade to enjoy a sing-along, dance to music played by a DJ and eat hot dogs. William Pitt/Sotheby’s International Realty will serve ice cream from Kimberly Farms at the celebration.

The parade is a gala end to the town’s Holiday Fest but there will be plenty of other attractions happening earlier in the day.

Non-profits will be set up on the Golden Falcon lot, 20 North Main Street. Manning stations there will be representatives from Kent Community Nursery School offering baked goods by Rosie’s Kitchen; Marvelwood School will serve hot cider and cookies and the Kent Dispatch with a Kid Reporter activity.

The Kent Land Trust will hold its annual meeting from 3 to 4:30PM at the Kent Community House at 93 North Main Street. All are welcome for cheer and refreshments at this festive celebration.

Down at Kent Barns, 8 and 10 North Main Street, the Kent Historical Society will participate in the Holiday Market from 10AM to 2PM.

Kent Memorial Library, 32 Main Street, will have its Holiday Boutique from 10AM to 5PM offering gift books, children’s books, scarves, jewelry, holiday CDs, cards, glassware, knick-knacks, stocking stuffers, pictures frames and small gifts.

Join the Kent Quilters in the library’s Junior Room for a selection of festive crafts from 3 to 5 PM. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. The Quilters will also sell their stunning quilts at the library during the day, working towards their goal of a $10,000 donation for the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.

From 3 to 5PM there will be holiday card making stations and coloring for adults at the library, a relaxing activity for older merrymakers before the parade. Materials will be provided or patrons can bring their own. The programs are free but register here.

Lee Sohl will again come to the library with her dogs at 11AM for Puppy Storytime in the Junior Room. Children of all ages are welcome but, again, registration is appreciated by calling 860-927-3761 or email kmljuniorroom@biblio.org at the Junior Room.

Kent is home to more than 30 distinctive shops and galleries where patrons can shop local, finding everything from stylish clothing to one-of-a-kind antiques, artwork to trendy western boots, toys for kids to delicious teas and coffees, gifts, jewelry and books. Many shops will hold sales or promotions that day.

Customers who spend $100 or more at Terston Home Accents & Apparel, 27 North Main Street, can win a festive tablecloth and eight napkins. Buy a top or sweater and get a pair of pants or jeans half off. The store will be serving cookies throughout the afternoon.

Also serving cookies during the afternoon will be the Fife ‘n Drum Gift Shop, 53 North Main Street, which will remain open until 7PM.

Tarot in Thyme, 31 North Main Street, will take ten percent off almost everything in its store (consignment items not included), while Heron Shop, 16 North Main Street and open until 8PM, will have a small toy giveaway for kids.

Lynette’s Precocious Preserves will set up on the porch of the Kent Station Pharmacy, 38 North Main Street, featuring holiday jams, quick breads and fudge. Joined there will be Pebbles Bakery with baked goods and complimentary hot chocolate.

45 on Main Coffee Chocolate & Creamery, noted for its embrace of every holiday, is already decked out for Christmas and offering stocking stuffers galore, perfect Secret Santa gifts, Christmas movie night treats and many sweet gift ideas the holiday season.

At the other end of Main Street, Kent Greenhouse & Gardens, 30 South Main Street, will offer wreath-making classes and have a demonstration of “Create a Castle” molded forms for sand or snow castles. It will serve complimentary cider and hot cocoa.