Mansfield Winter Welcome On Tap For Saturday

MANSFIELD, CT — The Mansfield Downtown Partnership invites residents and friends of all ages to celebrate the start of the new season at its 11th Annual Winter Welcome.

The free event is scheduled for Saturday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Storrs.

Visitors can stroll along Royce Circle and visit community displays featuring games, crafts, and more. Participating businesses and community organizations will include: A1 the Roofing Experts; the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry; Jeff's Kettle Corn; Miss Kelly Productions; Nautical Bowls; Renewal by Andersen; UConn KIDS; and Villari's Martial Arts of Mansfield.

Winter-themed activities will be offered indoors at 40 Wilbur Cross Way, Suite 104 and 9 Dog Lane, Suite 110 hosted by: Eastern Highlands Health District; E. O. Smith Leo Club; Levin Aerial Works; Rooted Dreams Floral; Waldron's Studio 88; and the Town of Mansfield Human Rights Commission, Human Services Department, and Youth Services.

Visitors can check out the entries in the Trim-A-Tree Contest on Betsy Paterson Square, then vote for your favorite at the Partnership’s booth. The top three trees will win prizes. Those visiting the Partnership can pick up a gift bag filled with giveaways and treats from Mansfield businesses (while supplies last).

Resident state troopers will be staging a the annual Stuff-a-Cruiser Toy Drive. The Troopers will collect new, unwrapped gifts near Betsy Paterson Square.

The Mansfield Fire Department who will be nearby with a decorated fire truck.

At the sound of the tubas, Santa will arrive at about 4 p.m. near Betsy Paterson Square. He and Mrs. Claus will visit with friends at Barnes & Noble UConn until 6 p.m.

Following Santa’s arrival, visitors can enjoy a performance and sing-along by the E. O. Smith Choirs on Betsy Paterson Square. At 5 p.m., students from Mansfield Elementary School will perform indoors at Barnes & Noble.

To accommodate Winter Welcome, the following streets will be closed from 1:00 PM until 7:30 p.m.:

• Bolton Road Ext.
• Dog Lane from Storrs Road to Royce Circle (near Jefferson Fry Co.)
• Royce Circle from Dog Lane to Wilbur Cross Way
• West Access Road (behind 33 Wilbur Cross Way)

Also:

• There will be no on-street parking on the listed streets beginning at noon.
• There will be free parking in the Downtown Storrs Parking Garage from 2 to 7 p.m. The garage is located at 33 Royce Circle, a 2-minute walk to Betsy Paterson Square.

For more information about Winter Welcome, please visit downtownstorrs.org/winterwelcome or call the Partnership office at 860.429.2740.