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Celebration of Lights & Song 2008

Saturday, December 6, 2008, 12 PM-6 PM, (Blizzard Date: December 13, 2008) New London Main Street presents A Celebration of Lights & Song. An afternoon of celebration throughout the Historic Waterfront Distric of New London, Connecticut. The Region's most unique holiday event. Due to the Parade Plaza re-construction, this year's festival host is the Hygienic Art Park and Gallery on Bank Street.

The holiday festival kicks off with a Pooch Parade and Santa's arrival by fire truck. Santa will arrive in the Hygienic Art Park at 12:30 PM where he will be greeted in song by local youth choral groups. He will then visit with children and pooches from 1 PM-4 PM in the Hygienic Gallery. Photos available for purchase!

There's entertainment throughout the day in the Hygienic Art Park until tree lighting at 5 PM. Other activities include ice carving in front of the Bulkeley House and ornament decorating and story telling at the U.S. Custom House on Bank Street. Just around the corner on Golden Street will be a dog play area. In the former Golden Street Antique Building, you'll find the New London Public Library's gingerbread cookie decorating and story land from 1 PM-3 PM.

Have your photo taken with the Sugar Plum Fairy! Don't miss Eastern CT Ballet's preview of The Nutcracker with dancing ballerinas in the Golden Street Antique Building from 5 PM-5:30 PM. Be sure to stay for Downtown New London Association's spectacular Festival of Trees Auction from 5:30 PM-9 PM. Enjoy light refreshments and bid on beautifully decorated trees. Proceeds to benefit New London Community Food Center.

New London makes it easy to come on downtown by offering several parking alternatives. There's free on-street parking with an enforced two-hour limit during weekdays. Three free Municipal Lots are open to the public.

Celebration of Lights and Song's Holiday Pooch Parade

Does your doggie love the holidays? Join us at noon as dozens of festive pooches, the New London High School Marching Band and city groups kick off the holiday season!

Come join the Pooch Parade as it escorts Santa into town. All leashed doggies dressed in holiday garb are welcome and will enjoy the special pet activities following the parade. Call ahead to participate - 860-444-2489 or download our Pooch Parade registration form here (pdf) and your Parade Safety Instructions here.

Organizations, groups and businesses - advertise your business, or promote your group! Sign up here! (pdf) Deadline: Friday, November 28, 2008.

Entertainment Schedule

Hygienic Art Park Stage

12:00 PM-12:30 PM: Pooch Parade starting at Public Library of New London & ending at Hygienic Art Park
12:30 PM-12:45 PM: Harbor School Chorus
12:45 PM-1:00 PM: ISAAC School Chorus & Look for Ice carving at Bulkeley House
1:00 PM-1:45 PM: Luis Pabon Dance Arts Centre
2:00 PM-3:00 PM: Scooperbowl Ice Cream Eating Contest & Awards
3:15 PM-3:30 PM: Centro de La Comunidad Chorus
4:00 PM-5:00 PM: Fred Astaire Dance Studio
5:00 PM-5:30 PM: Tree Lighting & Singing