UPCOMING ROAD RACES
--Harvest Ramble Run 5 Mile Road Race, Sunday, November 25, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. at Crestbrook Park, Northfield Road, Watertown

SANTA’S LIGHT PARADE & FESTIVAL
Celebrating
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd
We continue to celebrate the arrival of Santa Claus with our annual parade and festival. This event is based upon a 20 year partnership between the Watertown Parks & Recreation and Watertown Fire Departments. Once again, for 2018, Santa’s “escort” Parade will be a fully illuminated Light Parade. All participants must incorporate lighting into their parade costume, float, etc. The Parade, which will be led by special holiday characters, is open to children, families, school & private music groups, theatre & performance groups, civic organizations and churches.  Plan your participation early and start working on your plans now! In continuing with our tradition, Santa Claus will bring up the rear of the Parade along with the Big Red Fire Engine.
“Winter Wonderland” is the theme for the parade route (Main Street from the Fire Department to the Gazebo) and so we are requesting that businesses and homes decorate with white lights and turn them on during the event.
When you arrive at the Gazebo, the Festival will continue with lots of fun activities for everyone in the family:

• Dessert and Hot Cocoa courtesy of the Watertown Fire Department
• Tree Lighting
• Family ornaments for the official Town Christmas Tree
• Children’s games and entertainment
• Candle Lighting Carol Sing
• < >And of course Santa Claus himself will be present!

Lots more still being planned and it is not too late to be involved.
Dress warmly…..lots of hot chocolate…..a great family holiday tradition……join us! Please email godfrey@watertownct.org if you want to be part of the festivities.
FREE OF CHARGE
LOCATIONS:      WATERTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
935 MAIN STREET
GAZEBO – CORNER OF ROUTES 6 & 63
DATE:                 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2018
TIME:                  3:30PM AT THE FIREHOUSE
                             5:00PM AT THE GAZEBO

Click here for Guidelines and Application.

“LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS”
HOUSE/BUSINESS DECORATING CONTEST
It’s back by popular demand! Does your house shine with holiday cheer? Or maybe your neighbor’s house lights up the block. The Town of Watertown’s Park & Recreation Department invites you to enter any Watertown/Oakville home in our “Light up the Holidays” house decorating contest. Now is your chance to shine and be involved in some friendly, fun competition while brightening up the community. It’s so easy to participate:

1. Decorate your home or business
2. Return the entry form to the Watertown Park & Recreation Department at 61 Echo Lake, Watertown CT 06795.
3. All entries must be received by Friday, December 7th by 4pm with Watertown P&R at (860)945-5246 or email your address to godfrey@watertownct.org. We would like to give out a list to those interested in viewing. Please have your house/business lit up for judging December 8th from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
4. Win AWESOME prizes! Contest winners will be announced on Monday, December 17th. They will be notified and prizes will be awarded to the top 3 displays.

**Fan favorite!** On Friday, December 7th the Parks & Recreation Department will post all pictures of houses on Facebook, fans will have until Friday, December 13th at midnight to vote on their favorite by simply “liking” the picture. We will also have the pictures posted at the Watertown P&R office at 61 Echo Lake Rd, Watertown, CT if you would like to vote in person.

Click here for the registration form.

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
The 9th annual The Spirit of Giving: Holiday Marketplace will be held from 10am – 2pm as part of the town-wide Santa’s Light Parade and Festival. This Holiday Marketplace has developed a reputation and following because all of our venders are local artists and artisans and offer their own hand-crafted and unique arts and crafts (no commercial vendors permitted). Applications for vendors are available at the Watertown Parks & Recreation Department. Come out for all your holiday gift shopping! There is something unique for everyone on your list. November 24th is also Small Business Saturday and in celebrating the many great businesses in Watertown/Oakville, we will work with local merchants, restaurants and businesses to offer great incentives to stay and shop local. Businesses who want to participate may contact Carrie Godfrey at 860-945-5246 or email her at godfrey@watertownct.org if you want to be part of the festivities.
FREE OF CHARGE
LOCATION:        SWIFT MIDDLE SCHOOL, GYMNASIUM
DATE:                 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2018
TIME:                  10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Click here for the Application.

COOKIES AND MILK WITH SANTA
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH        1PM – 3PM
Come have Milk & Cookies with Santa! The Watertown Parks & Recreation Department & Water-Oak Community Women's Club formerly the Watertown Junior Women's Club sponsor this program. Come enjoy cookies & milk (or other beverage) with Santa from 1pm-3pm at John Trumbull Primary School. Also featuring raffles, Santa’s adventure face painting and have fun with “Make-and-Take” projects. Look out for a flyer that will be sent through the schools.

NORTH POLE CALLING
Sponsored by the Watertown Parks & Recreation Department and The Watertown Recreation Commission. Children in Pre-K and Kindergarten can receive a call from Santa.  Even with Santa's busy schedule, he will find time to call you directly from the North Pole. A special notice will be coming through the schools to help Santa schedule his call. For more information call The Watertown Parks & Recreation Office at 860-945-5246.

Click here for the registration form.

Watertown Parks & Recreation – Your Quality of Life Department