Fourth Annual 'Ivoryton Illuminations' Kicks Off Today

Looking for a different way to celebrate Christmas? Then head down to Ivoryton for the Fourth Annual Ivoryton Illuminations today, November 30th from 5pm to 8pm. The entire village of Ivoryton will be participating in this Holiday Extravaganza with carol singing, Santa's Grotto, Holiday Craft Bazaar, and culminating with the lighting of the Ivoryton Illuminations at 6pm (over 200,000 lights!) and the arrival of Santa.

This year, the Alliance has chosen not to light the Giant Christmas tree as the decorations were causing some of the boughs to droop and even break. So the tree is resting and recuperating this year and instead, there will be a variety of animated lighting displays throughout the village,

Family activities include writing letters to Santa and cards to our soldiers and Toys for Tots at the Ivoryton Library; Santa's Grotto and visiting with Santa in The Playhouse (bring your camera if you want a picture!); Santa's Christmas Workshop and Holiday Bazaar run by local church groups; Christmas books display at Essex Books: and music by The Sweet Adeline's, VRHS Madrigals, The New Horizons Band, and the CT Barbershop Quartet who will be playing at various locations throughout the village. George Martin will play the bagpipes to herald the spectacular arrival of Santa!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire plus more, provided by the Essex Lions Club, and special menus at The Ivoryton Tavern, The Blue Hound Cookery and The Copper Beech Inn.

Free parking will be available at the First Congregational Church and the Ivoryton Piano Factory with a shuttle bus service to the village. The Illuminations will remain through January 6th and visitors can tune their radios to 101.5FM and watch as the lights dance to the music.

Families in the tri-town area can join in the fun by entering our Outdoor Lights Competition. Pretty and white or wild and crazy - celebrate in your own style! Lots of great prizes from hometown businesses. The judges' criteria are creativity, number of lights and colored lights are looked upon favorably. Registration is free - you can register in person at Gather in Ivoryton or online at gather.ivoryton@yahoo.com.

If you want to experience some real Christmas cheer, then come and join the party in Ivoryton, the brightest village in Connecticut! For more information, visit us online at www.ivorytonalliance.org.