Connecticut’s Christmas Town Is

Getting Ready For Its Holiday Festival

BETHLEHEM — Residents of Connecticut are invited to join those who live in the town of Bethlehem for the town’s annual old-fashioned holiday celebration. Bethlehem’s 27th Annual Christmas Town Festival will be held Friday, December 7, from 5 to 10 pm, and Saturday, December 8, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Bethlehem’s Town Green, at the junction of routes 61 and 132, is the heart of the festival. The buildings and churches surrounding the green will be decorated and will be brimming with holiday crafters and delicious food.

The opening ceremony, on Friday night at 6 pm, features a candlelight procession, during which there will be a reenactment of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. Region 14’s talented choirs and bands will provide festive background music. The First Church of Bethlehem will hold its traditional Advent Service.

Santa will arrive to light the 75 foot tree in the center of the green. He will then be available at the little school house, where children can visit and have pictures taken throughout the festival. Seven buildings in town will be open, with over 70 exhibitors selling hand-crafted items.

There will also be hayrides, and holiday music performances throughout the festival including music by First Church Hand Bell Choir and The Waterbury-Derby Valley Chordsmen Chorus.

This year’s festival will continue an early American theme, with costumed volunteers and early American props throughout the festival area. There will be a special Christmas exhibit at the historic Bellamy-Ferriday House.

Plenty of food will be served during the event, with refreshments sold outside and in various buildings by several town organizations.

Join the thousands of visitors who come each year to the famous Bethlehem Post Office to make certain their Christmas cards bear a Bethlehem postmark and hand stamp them with special Bethlehem Christmas stamps.  The post office will have extended hours during the festival.

The limited edition pewter 2007 Bethlehem Christmas Town ornament will be available at the festival’s Information Booth and festivalgoers are reminded that the ornament usually sells out.

Admission to the festival is free. Access will be provided by free shuttle buses, which travel from the parking area at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds on Route 61, to the center of town and back. There will be ample parking for tour buses. Parking in the center of town during the hours of the festival is by permit only. For additional festival information call 203-266-5557.

Finally, a visit to the 18th Century crèche at the Abbey of Regina Laudis on nearby Flanders Road would make a great ending to a perfect day in picturesque Bethlehem, “Connecticut’s Christmas Town.”