Sandy Hook resident Joe Hemingway annually grows his white beard long and steps into red trousers and jacket. With his belt buckled and red and white hat in place, Mr Hemingway stood outside Edmond Town Hall on Sunday, December 4, during the 31st Annual Holiday Festival.

Gripping his gloved hands and eager at the chance to take a picture with Santa Claus, Ciara and Norah Whitmore wore broad smiles before they rushed away to join other Sandy Hook School Brownies and Daisies sing about Rudolph, dashing through the snow, and jingling bells.

The festival benefits Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS), which is dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential, according to the festival brochure. The nonprofit agency combines clinical services and positive youth development programs to provide care to residents in the greater Newtown area.

Parked on Main Street and waiting for passengers just past the sidewalk where Santa waved to passing drivers, was a large trolley where Town Historian Dan Cruson stepped aboard. Throughout the day Mr Cruson offered a narrative about the history of Main Street homes and its residents as a driver drove slowly past various homes. According to the festival brochure, guests could join Mr Cruson on "an intimate tour … starting at the Edmond Town Hall and proceeding toward The Pleasance, stopping frequently to hear stories of what happened among the houses that line the historic street."

Also beginning at the town hall, with passengers queuing in the rear parking lot, was the Polar Express, a miniature train carrying passengers from that location, down toward C.H. Booth Library, and back. Snuggling into the front seat were Elisa Oquendo and Samuel Evans, whose young face lit with excitement.

Once back at town hall, children could enjoy activities and crafts inside the gymnasium. Helping younger children with their crafts were Peri Meeker and Isabella Correia, ready to help children decorate cookies. Across from them at another craft table were mother and son Janet and Mickey Jobst creating a Santa holiday decoration.

An icon of the season, Christmas trees adorned with lights and ornaments lined tables in another part of the gymnasium. Festival organizers invited guests "to enjoy the collection of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, holiday decorations and gift items that can be taken home by the lucky winners" during the Festival of Trees on Sunday. Trees were of various sizes, both real and artificial. Participants bid on the trees and winners were selected that afternoon.

Upstairs in the Alexandria Room was a Holiday Tea. Enjoying a sip from a delicate cup and saucer were Ross Allare and Dyan Viens, also receiving baked scones and muffins from servers Cathy Wojiski and Danielle Molnar.

Seated at a table near the doorway looking out across a hall to the theater balcony doors, Mr Allare and Ms Viens could hear strains of music from the theater performance of The Nutcracker Suite, which included their nieces Amie and Chelsea Fowler. Students from Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet's Malenkee Ballet Repertoire Company put on the show each year. Artistic Director Tory Gozzi again prepared her dancers for this year's holiday festival performances at noon and 2 pm.

Amid the bustle in and around the town hall were clusters of residents visiting a handful of Main Street and West Street homes decorated for the season and inviting guests to tour the historic dwellings.

On the tour was 6 West Street, a 19th Century Colonial home. Renovated and with additions built on over the years, the home still contains many original features. The house is known as the Hubbell House, for former owner Harvey Hubbell, of Hubbell Incorporated, the Bridgeport-based electronics company.

Current owner Linda Burhance stood in the home's addition, a large kitchen of reclaimed white oak wooden floors from Connecticut forests. She spoke of the "timeless surfaces" meant for cooking.

Visitors who waited on the stoop for a tour that afternoon may also have stopped at 28 Main Street, once part of a neighboring property at 32 Main Street, which was separated and relocated in 1876. One tour guide there noted that a person could inherit a house, but not necessarily the land, which could explain its relocation.

The bed and breakfast Dana-Holcombe House at 29 Main Street was also open for tours.

Trinity Episcopal Church opened its doors on Sunday, offering an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols. Those stepping inside enjoyed the Trinity Choir of Men & Women and the Trinity Choristers.

Holiday Festival revelers may also have sniffed the sugar and spice at the C.H. Booth Library, where a Gingerbread House Contest was on display off the main lobby. This year's contest theme was "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." There were five entries on display Sunday afternoon.