Middletown's Holiday on Main Expands with Support from City, Businesses

The city's Holiday on Main promises to be bigger and better than ever after more sponsors stepped forward ahead of this 28th year, according to the Hartford Courant.

Pratt & Whitney has stepped forward as a major funder of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce's event and the Middletown Common Council on Nov. 4 voted to co-sponsor Holiday on Main with a $25,000 expenditure, according to the Hartford Courant.

The three weekend-long celebration kicks off the Friday evening after Thanksgiving with a parade led by the Middletown, Woodrow Wilson and Keigwin middle school bands, a student choral concert on the South Green, and four tree lightings led by Santa and Mayor Dan Drew on a horse-drawn carriage.

Many more events will be packed into the four days, including photographs with Santa, holiday films, ornament decorating workshops, holiday story times, a mobile petting zoo, fun train rides and dance and kung fu demonstrations.

New this year will be Santa's Stamp Hunt in which families stop by the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street to pick up a passport sheet with stamps hidden within walking distance of 393 Main Street. Children who find all 10 stamps can redeem their completed form for a Golden Ticket milk and cookies hour with Santa on Dec. 14.

There will be two charitable drives as well: Holy Trinity Church will be collecting nonperishable food items for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry throughout the month. Webster Bank's Giving Tree will be accepting donations to benefit the food pantry at 363 Main Street Nov. 29 to Dec. 20.

Middletown's 28th Annual Holiday On Main Street kicks off on Nov. 29 from 4 to 8:15 p.m. and continues Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14. In case of inclement weather, the tree lightings and parade will be held Nov. 30 from 6-9 p.m.

Sponsors this year include Pratt & Whitney, the City of Middletown, Liberty Bank, Citizens Bank, Eli Cannon's Tap Room, Webster Bank and Mallove's Jewelers.