Josephine Kirkpatrick looked at the stage where Rudolph danced with a group of children singing Christmas carols on December 3, in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall. She was just one of many children and parents enjoying the festivities at the Toyland Tea.

Mrs Claus and The Grinch also sang along. Across the hall and through the balcony doors, floated music accompanying the first of two Nutcracker Suite performances that day as part of the 32nd Annual Holiday Festival.

Festival ticket sales benefited Newtown Youth & Family Services. The day included trolley tours of Main Street's historic homes, The Festival of Trees and the Gingerbread House Contest at C.H. Booth Library, Kids Corner Activities, and a Polar Express loading both at the library and the Edmond Town Hall; and town hall events included a Holiday Tea, The Nutcracker Suite ballet, Polar Express rides, a Toyland Tea, and more.

Filling the lobby of Edmond Town Hall with holiday cheer were the Newtown High School Singers, harmonizing as guests hustled past, some pausing for a slice of pizza and baked goods on sale.

Also stepping through the lobby was Emily Bohr, momentarily dazzled as Mrs Claus (Erica Salas) tipped her glasses down her nose and settled her lace-trimmed red bonnet, then leaned down to greet her.

Outside and down the front steps was Santa Claus (Joe Hemingway) waving to people and stopping to listen to children's whispers of Christmas wishes. From her spot on the bench, young Nora Smith, in a pink hat, pink stockings, and with a pink toy in her hand, asked Santa for a pink rocking horse this year. Perhaps her holiday dream will come true.

Brett and Monica Boros took a moment of Santa's attention, introducing their daughter Mya to Old St Nick.

Filled with laughter were friends Bridget McCarthy, Adele and Morgan McCarthy, Adele and Julie Mooney, and Annie Bobroske on their "Ladies Outing," which they do every year. They waited in a huddle as the trolley pulled to the curb.

Up and down Main Street marched residents, stopping at various houses on this year's tour. At 64 Main Street, Erin McDonald welcomed guests into the home, built in 1867, commissioned by Matthew Curtiss for Edward Starr, who owned a store on Main Street. It was "a nice gesture," she said, and kept Starr close to his store. In 1960 the house was willed to Trinity Church, and is where the minister now lives. Homeowners are Jenny and Joe Glaze.

Docent Gordon Williams took guests through the Matthew Curtiss House, built in the mid-1700s, which now serves as a museum and headquarters for the Newtown Historical Society. In the kitchen - a massive cooking fireplace filling one wall - was a table filled with bowls of cranberry and popcorn, oranges and spice. "In 1750, the kitchen is where everyone congregated," he said.

A few doors down on the sidewalk were women representing Trinity Day School - Melissa Lowe, Audra Russo, Elizabeth Harrison, Lauren Tietjen, and Liz Kelly.

Also on the house tour were the homes at 30 Mt Pleasant Road and 5 Glover Avenue.

Built in 1784 and once owned by Charles Peck, the Mt Pleasant Road dwelling is now owned by Thomas Saint, who did renovations, much remodeling and updating. It includes several fireplaces and features several prints, including those of local artist David Merrill. The three-bedroom Colonial home on Glover Road is highlighted by built-ins, original molding and hardwood floors, and is owned by Carla Tischio and Mark Forlenzo. Sue Smart Designs did the holiday decorating.