SANTA’S LIGHT PARADE & FESTIVAL
Celebrating SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29th 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 2019, 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:
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 29, 2019 TIME: PARADE PARTICIPANTS LINE UP ON DEPOT ST BETWEEN 4PM-4:20PM PARADE LEAVES FIREHOUSE AT 4:30PM SANTA ARRIVES AT 5:00PM AT THE GAZEBO Click here for the Santa Parade Entry Form. 
“LETS REALLY LIGHT UP WATERTOWN/OAKVILLE”
HOUSE/BUSINESS DECORATING CONTEST It’s back by popular demand! Come and participate in our “Light Up Watertown” Holiday decorating contest. This family event is open to all residents and businesses in Watertown/Oakville. The participation fee is $20 for both residents and businesses. There will be a variety of categories such as best overall, most creative, most animated, most traditional and best business. All winners will receive wonderful prizes donated by local merchants. Help make our wonderful community an even better place to live and visit by decorating your property as creatively and festively as desired. Enter as early as the last week of October, so you don’t forget to sign up. All entries must be in by December 6, 2019. All displays must be ready for judging December 13, 2019. Just in time for Christmas, all proceeds will be used to help out needy families in Watertown that wouldn’t have a Christmas like it should be. Please call the Watertown Parks & Recreation Department at 860-945-5246 for more information. Click here for the Light Up Contest Entry Form. UPCOMING ROAD RACE
Sponsored by the Watertown Parks & Recreation Department --Harvest Ramble Run 5 Mile Road Race, Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. at Crestbrook Park, Northfield Road, Watertown Click here for the Harvest Ramble Run Application. --Shamrock Shuffle 3.5 Mile Road Race, Saturday March 14, 2020 at 10 A.M. At Polk School, 437 Buckingham Street in Oakville, CT 06779 
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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
The 10th 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 30th 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 30, 2019 TIME: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Click here for the Holiday Craft Fair Application. 
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. |