Kent for the Holidays
Kent, always a popular destination town, is intent on establishing a further reputation as a town that knows how to celebrate. After a successful year that found revelers enjoying events such as a Robbie Burns Night, the summer Sidewalk Sales Days and a town-wide Halloween bash, it is now ready to embrace the holiday season.
“Kent is bursting at the seams for the holidays,” said Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ellen Corsell. “There is so much happening.”
The season of lights kicks off Friday, November 28th, with the annual community tree lighting at the Town Hall, 41 Kent Green Boulevard, at 4PM. Visitors will be treated to caroling, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
Hard on its heels comes a return of the town’s popular Champagne Stroll, now re-envisioned and renamed Sip, Sparkle and Stroll and planned for Saturday, November 29th, from 4 to 8PM.
This popular holiday tradition, which was in abeyance for several years following Covid, has been revitalized under the leadership of Chamber spark plug Gary Kidd who has been behind some of the Chamber's most festive and successful events in recent years.
"If Gary Kidd is involved, you know it will be fun," said Corsell.
The change of name gives merchants the opportunity to offer a wider variety of libations, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. While enjoying the sparkling beverages and holiday-themed sips, a variety of unique holiday experiences and live music at participating shops, visitors will find the streets aglow with more than 100 twinkling stars.
The stars made their first appearance last year and even more have been created for 2025, thanks to the generosity of High Watch Recovery Center. "We had 50 stars last year and this year there will be more than 100," said Corsell. "It's an amazing community effort. The Boys Scouts and the Kent Community Committee, which is part of the Chamber, have strung and straightened the old ones. And a huge shout-out to Hank Barton and Christopher Lawrence at High Watch who have created another 50."
Tickets are now on sale and are limited: An entry ticket for one is $43.40 (includes $3.40 fee) while groups of four entry tickets are $36.51 per person (includes $3.01 fee). To secure the reduced price, tickets must be purchased in groups of four.
In addition to Sip, Sparkle and Stroll, the Chamber will also sponsor Art & Design, an exhibition and sale of works by world-renowned artisans on Saturday, November 29th, and Sunday, November 30th, from 1 to 5PM at the Kent Community House, 93 North Main Sreet.
The show features 25 artists including ceramicists, painters, woodworkers, weavers, quilters, jewelry designers, tin artists and blacksmiths. Each exhibitor is selected through a juried process or by invitation, ensuring a high standard of excellence in craftsmanship and design.
Another chance to see and purchase original art will be offered by the Kent Art Association when it holds its Members Holiday Show and Art Sale Sunday, December 14th, starting at 1PM. The art association, formed in 1923, is one of the oldest in the state and is located at 21 South Main Street.
The advent of December brings back another artistic tradition in the community. Corsell said the 14th annual Kent Gingerbread Fest will feature “10 incredible gingerbread houses displayed throughout the town in different shops.”
The creators of the houses have shown remarkable creativity in seasons past, crafting fanciful scenes such as a North Pole drive-in theater, replete with penguins and reindeer watching the outdoor screen; a reproduction of the Roman Coliseum; Snow White sitting outside her cottage reading a book and many more.
“There will be maps that list where the houses can be seen and each house will have a clue to a riddle,” Corsell explained. “If you find all the clues and solve the riddle, you will earn a little prize.”
The houses will be displayed through December and are best viewed from Thursday through Sunday when all the stores are open.
The first weekend in December, the streets will blaze even brighter as the Kent Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual Parade of Lights along Main Street. The parade is open to all. “If it has wheels, can walk or moves in any way, put as many lights on it as you can and light up the streets of Kent,” the fire department says.
Line up is at 5PM and the parade kicks off at 6PM. To reserve a spot, call 860-488-1239.
Following the parade the public is invited to the firehouse at 28 Maple Street for food, a fire pit and visits with Santa.
That same weekend, the fire department will hold its annual Stuff-a-Truck event Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7, at the firehouse on 28 Maple Street.
Mid-December brings a chance to enjoy holiday music. “Our Handel’s Messiah Sing-in has become a Litchfield County tradition,” said Matthew Harris, director of St. Andrew’s Church Music in the Nave series. It is planned this year for Friday, December 12th at 8PM at the Church at 1 North Main Street.
Harris believes the concert “just keeps getting better.” Now in its 14th year, it features professional singers of “operatic quality, with big, strong voices that make it exciting,” Harris said. The singers and the Sherman Concert Ensemble are led by James Sinclair, artistic director of Orchestra New England, and the audience is invited to join in the chorus.
“We seem to collect more people each year,” said Harris. “Each year someone discovers us. Singing is not mandatory but, if people want to sing, we try to arrange the community singers with all the sopranos in one quadrant, the altos opposite them and the tenors behind the altos so we get a more solid sound. But if a bass wants to stand with a soprano, that’s okay too.”
“A lot of people just like to listen,” he continued, “but just knowing that their neighbors are out there singing along makes a nice feeling of camaraderie. It’s always a very good vibe.”
Tickets are $25 with students admitted free.
On Saturday, December 13th, and Sunday, December 14th, at 3PM the Kent Singers will present their holiday concert, “All This Time,” an homage to the Festival of Lessons and Carols. The program features poetry and carols, both traditional and modern.
This amateur group has maintained a high standard of excellence in the performance of works large and small, accompanied and a cappella exploring the rich tradition of early music, Baroque, Classical and modern.
Tickets are $20 and are available online and at the door.