Sandy Hook, Hawleyville Tree Lightings Planned

Newtown has three tree lightings planned this year. In addition to the longstanding event that opens the weekend of December 2–4 at Ram Pasture on Friday night (see related story), Sandy Hook will host its annual event on Saturday, December 3, and Hawleyville will host its second annual tree lighting ceremony on Sunday night.

Merchants and residents of Sandy Hook Center invite the public to join them for the annual Sandy Hook Tree Lighting. Events will begin in Sandy Hook Center at 4, when members of Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) hosts open house events in their businesses.

The Sandy Hook Christmas Tree is in The Glen, the parklike area at the corner of Church Hill Road and Washington Avenue. The tree will be lit at 6:30, and businesses will resume their special events after everyone pauses for the lighting.

Visitors are invited to stroll down the sidewalks of the festively decorated village and visit the participating shops for refreshments, store discounts, raffles, free samples, and more. Residents are asked to bring a donation for FAITH Food Pantry; drop-off locations will be set up at a number of locations including Newtown Senior Center and PJ’s Laundromat.

There will be karaoke set up near at the Christmas tree, followed by Newtown Middle School Carolers at Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor. In addition, local group Eclipse will be performing live at Porco Karate Studio. There will be more musical entertainment at demitasse café and Ice Cream Heaven.

Wesley Learning Center will be handing out jingle bell bracelets, The Iron Bridge at 100 Church Hill will be conducting a free raffle for two children’s bikes (one boy’s bike, one girl’s bike), and The Toy Tree will have free 3-D glasses for spectacular tree viewing.

Refreshments can be found at CT Counselors, Figs, Fun Kuts, Genesis Hair Studio, Katherine’s Kitchen, Sandy Hook Hair Company, and St John’s Church. The Villa Restaurant is also offering a special “kids eat free” from their kids menu. In addition, several of the shops will be holding sales and specials during the event.

And of course Santa Claus will be making an appearance throughout the night.

Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue will provide additional street lighting to ensure pedestrian safety and to assist with traffic.

Sunday In Hawleyville

The Hawleyville Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Toy Collection will take place Sunday, December 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at 23 Barnabas Road in Newtown — the site of the new Hawleyville Post Office. The event is being coordinated by The Stony Hill Four Corners Association (SH4C). It will be the second annual tree lighting in Hawleyville.

Local musicians Billy Michael and Wendy Mitchell will be performing, and there will be refreshments and caroling. SH4C is asking attendees to bring unwrapped children’s gifts, which will be given to The Newtown Fund, a social service organization that provides assistance to local residents.