Holiday Festival, To Benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services,

Will Celebrate Its 25th Anniversary Next Month

The 2010 Newtown Holiday Festival — scheduled for Sunday, December 5 — will feature professionally decorated historic homes, a Victorian Tea, a Festival of Trees, and other family-friendly activities. The 25th presentation of the annueal event will run from 11 am to 5 pm.

“The 25th Annual Holiday Festival marks a quarter-century of family-friendly activities and celebration in support of Newtown Youth & Family Services,” said Festival Chairperson Layne Lescault. “Newtown Savings Bank is not only the presenting sponsor of this event, but also host of the Victorian Tea, which delights young and old alike each year. It is through the generosity of Newtown Savings Bank that this event continues in Newtown.”

All Holiday Festival activities are convenient to Main Street.

Edmond Town Hall, at 45 Main Street, will house the Victorian Tea, a ballet performance, children’s crafts, and pictures with Santa. The Gingerbread House Contest and Festival of Trees will be located at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

Trinity Church, at 36 Main Street, will host its traditional service of “Lessons and Carols.”

Bus transportation will circulate to bring festival participants to the decorated homes on the walking tour, one of the festival’s biggest attractions each year.

“Every day, we look for what’s possible for our clients — often in seemingly impossible situations,” said Beth Agen, NYFS executive director. “Support of and attendance at the Holiday Festival creates endless possibilities for the agency and the clients we serve.”

Tickets will be available beginning November 22 at Newtown Youth & Family Services, 17 Church Hill Road; C.H. Booth Library; Drug Center Pharmacy, 61 Church Hill Road; and Newtown Savings Bank branch offices in Bethel, Danbury, Monroe, Newtown, and Southbury. The cost is $15 for individuals and $25 for families (two adults and two children), with each additional child’s ticket $5.

Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) is dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential regardless of ability to pay. The nonprofit agency combines clinical services and supportive programs to provide a continuum of care to residents of the greater Newtown area. For nearly 30 years, NYFS has offered specialized programs and services to individuals of all ages.

NYFS is licensed by the Department of Children & Families as an outpatient psychiatric clinic for children, by the Department of Public Health as a psychiatric outpatient clinic for adults, and as a facility for the care or treatment of substance abusive or dependent persons. NYFS is accredited by the Council on Accreditation.

To find out more about Newtown Youth & Family Services or the Holiday Festival, call 203-270-4335 or visit NewtownYouthAndFamilyServices.org.