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Holiday Stroll to blend traditional activities with new offerings

Santa arrives to the Town Common in a horse-drawn carriage leading up to last year’s tree lighting. FILE PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

While this year’s annual Holiday Stroll and tree lighting will feature much of the same programming and activities, some changes have been made this year to expand the annual winter celebration, according to Hopkinton Center for the Arts director Kelly Grill.

Grill, who also represents the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce, stated that the time frame for the Holiday Stroll on Dec. 5 will take place later in the day to coincide with the Girl Scouts tree lighting and Caroling on the Common. Stroll events will take place from noon-6 p.m., she noted.

Other changes this year include a trackless train with a Polar Express theme, a doughnut truck and a tent on the Town Common for Chamber of Commerce businesses that either don’t have a physical location or want a more central presence during the stroll.

“It’s really going to feel even more so like a big community event,” said Grill.

She added that staples of the stroll — including the ice sculpture, carriage rides and activities put on by Hopkinton Scouts — will remain. Santa is scheduled to arrive around 4:30 p.m., and the tree lighting will happen shortly after, Grill stated.

The HCA also will run its holiday marketplace during the stroll. Grill noted that a lot of familiar vendors will return to sell various artisan goods.

Returning this year following a $25,000 purchase approved by the town are the annual holiday lights. Grill noted that local vendor Under Pressure already is working to set up the lights, and she teased some “additional surprises” as part of this year’s display.

Grill said she was “looking forward to [the event] being a destination” and noted there still is space for additional vendors to get involved on the Town Common. She encouraged those interested to reach out to the Chamber of Commerce or the Hopkinton Girl Scouts.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

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Photo of the Day

The sun sets over the Hopkinton Reservoir on a recent evening.

PHOTO/AMIT JAGDALE