Hamden Silverbells Celebration Set For Saturday

HAMDEN, CT — The center of Hamden will be filled with holiday lights and community merrymaking on Saturday, Dec. 2 for Hamden's Silverbells Holiday Celebration. The rain date for outdoor activities is Dec. 3, while the show in Thornton Wilder Hall will go on rain or shine on Dec. 2.

The festivities, presented by the Hamden Arts Commission and the Dept. of Arts and Culture, will include carousel rides, hayrides, a puppet show, various holiday crafts, caroling, tree lighting and Santa’s arrival by fire truck. All events except for the puppet show are free.

Events begin at 2:30 p.m. inside the Miller Library and Cultural Center. There will be face painting in the library from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and then Wayne Martin’s Puppets will perform “Martin’s Magical Musical Review” in Thornton Wilder Hall at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets to the puppet show cost $2 for children, $3 for adults and are available at the door only, cash only. Doors open at 2 p.m. The show features a whole variety of colorfully handcrafted marionettes and puppets that dance and sing to a review of holiday themed music.

The free festivities at Town Center Park, 2761 Dixwell Ave., include:

• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Holiday Vendor Market
• 2:30 p.m.: Hayrides, carousel rides, button-making, face painting, letters to Santa and holiday arts and crafts
• 3:45 p.m.: Caroling with the Hamden Girl Scouts
• 4:15 p.m.: Tree-lighting ceremony, with Mayor Curt Balzano Leng leading the countdown, followed by community caroling featuring Hamden elementary school singers.
• 4:30 p.m.: Santa's arrival by fire truck and visits with Santa

The Hamden Rotary Club will provide doughnut treats and cider. Vendors with fried dough, popcorn and hot chocolate will be on site.

Please bring an unwrapped toy for the Hamden Kids Holiday Toy Drive.

In case of heavy rain or snow, outdoor activities will be postponed to Dec. 3; indoor activities can only be held on Dec. 2. For weather information, go to hamdenartscommission.org, or call (203) 287-2546.

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