Christmas Town Festival Returns Dec. 3-4

By MARY GAUDET

Published: Nov 26, 2004 12:00 AM

BETHLEHEM â âConnecticutâs Christmas Townâ will present its 24th annual old-fashioned Christmas celebration on Friday, December 3, from 5 to 10 pm, and Saturday, December 4, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Bethlehemâs town green, which is 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, will feature a candlelight procession during which there will be a reenactment of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter.

Musical performances by Region 14âs student choirs and bands will provide festive background music.

The First Church Bethlehem will hold its traditional Advent Service.

Santa will arrive to light the 75-foot tree in the center of the green and will then be available for picture taking in the little schoolhouse throughout the festival.

Seven buildings in town will be open with over 70 exhibitors selling handcrafted items.

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

The historic Bellamy-Ferriday House will have a special Christmas exhibit.

Join the thousands of visitors who travel 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 23rd special limited edition pewter Bethlehem Christmas Town ornament will also be available all weekend.

Admission to the festival is free. Access is 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 is ample parking for tour buses.

Parking in the center of town during the hours of the festival is by permit only.

For additional information contact Mary C. Paul at 203-266-6766 or 203-266-6326.

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Christmas Town Festival Returns Dec. 3-4

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