Niantic Main Street Holiday Stroll 2015: A Complete Guide

The 12th Annual Niantic Main Street Holiday Stroll will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to the event, as photographs with Santa are free.

The event features:

• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Complimentary hot cider and cocoa on the Green
• A “Snow-Flake Drop” featuring discounts and giveaways at local shops and restaurants
• The arrival of Santa on a shiny red fire truck
• Tree lighting ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. on Liberty Green in the heart of Niantic Village

In Support of Maddie

The town is lighting the tree in support for a local 9-year-old, Maddie Guarraia, who is battling cancer for the third time.

“Help the community bring this little girl some early holiday cheer and set up your lights and decorations early,” a flier for the Holiday Stroll notes.

People may also bring donations for Madeline’s Wish toy drive. The following was shared on the toy drive’s Facebook event page:

“Nine-year-old Madeline Guarraia is battling cancer for the 3rd time. She is a huge fan of Christmas and wants to pay it forward to other sick kids.

When asked what she wanted this holiday season one of the things she asked for was for people to donate toys to sick children at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Madeline specifically asked that items be purchased for the older children, 10-18 year olds.

Examples of such items include art supplies, complex puzzles, legos, and iTunes cards.

For those of you who live in another state please donate to your local children’s hospital and say it’s from Madeline’s Wish.

My elves and I will be delivering the gifts to Yale (and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center) the weekend before Christmas.”

Complete Schedule of Events

• 3-4:30 p.m. S’more station at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties
• 3-4:30 p.m. Letter writing to Santa at the Children’s Museum of SECT
• 3-7 p.m. Store & restaurant specials
• 3-7 p.m. Complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides
• 3-7 p.m. DJ Chris Turkington on the Liberty Green
• 3-7 p.m. Heritage Properties’ Toys for Tots Drive on Liberty Green
• 3-7 p.m. Children’s arts & crafts at the Police Department with East Lyme Youth Services
• 4-5 p.m. Holiday favorites sung on the Liberty Green
• 5-5:30 p.m. Countdown to the tree lighting / Snowflake Drop / Arrival of Santa
• 5:30 p.m. Visits with Santa and letter delivery

Children can bring their yearly letters and wish lists to Santa, who will bring them back to the North Pole, or they can stop in to the Children’s Museum to craft their letter.

“The day also provides a great opportunity to begin your holiday shopping as many of the local businesses will be open offering holiday sales and discounts,” Discover East Lyme said on its website. “So, come early and escape the big box malls and crowed parking lots and help support the small and local merchants who make shopping small — big!”

For more information, visit the Discover East Lyme website.