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HCA celebrates cultural traditions with festival of lights

An ice sculpture at the Town Common commemorated last year’s Holiday Stroll. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

“Hope” will light up the Town Common at this year’s Holiday Stroll.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is partnering with the Hopkinton Freedom Team, the South Asian Circle of Hopkinton and the Hopkinton Chinese American Association to present a festival of lights celebration during the stroll on Dec. 7.

“It’s a community project,” said Kelly Grill, executive director of HCA.

These groups, along with representatives from area religious organizations, will be set up at the library and the Town Common during the holiday stroll.

At these booths, people will have the chance to create and decorate their own paper lanterns while learning about the different traditions and celebrations each group in the coalition represents.

Grill said the idea for the project came from the fact that there “seems to be a through-line about light” across multiple religious and cultural traditions during this time of year — whether it be Hanukkah menorahs, lights on Christmas trees or lanterns for Diwali.

Later in the evening, people who made lanterns are encouraged to take them up to the Town Common.

“We’ll take a drone photo from above of all the lanterns made throughout the day,” Grill explained. Participants will be arranged with their lanterns to form the word “hope.”

The HCA also will be hosting a holiday market during the stroll. It will feature over 25 artisans selling handmade goods.

Santa will stop by between 1-2 p.m., and country musician Ayla Brown has been invited to sing at the tree lighting ahead of her concert that night at the HCA.

Other activities on the Town Common will include caroling by the Girl Scouts and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Several local businesses across town will be participating in the Holiday Stroll this year, including Alltown Fresh, BoMain Pizza Bar + Grill, Start Line Brewing, Goldfish Swim School and others.

Stroll participants who have this year’s Holiday Stroll passport stamped from a minimum of four businesses in each of the five sections can enter for a chance to win a $300 cash prize.

More information on the stroll and how to participate in the passport raffle can be found on the Chamber of Commerce’s website (hopchamber.com).

Latest News

Hopkinton High School cheer team coach Rachel DeMore reflected on her team’s strong finish at this past weekend’s state competition.

Firefly’s BBQ founder and Hopkinton resident Steve Uliss passed away unexpectedly Friday at the age of 61.

This week’s Real Estate Transactions list shows five sales, including one over $2 million.

The Hopkinton Trails Club will host a group walk at the Hughes Farm Trail on Friday morning.

Town meetings tonight include the Conservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

Players line up during Monday night’s Hopkinton High School girls flag football game at the HHS football field. The seniors beat the juniors, 28-19.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR