It’s that time of year, a time to give and give thanks. Volunteer a few hours at the Community Dining Room on Thanksgiving and welcome the holiday season by attending Branford’s Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Churches and town organizations are hosting special events and holiday fairs – it’s all a chance to shop local. A few are listed here with more to come next week. Do you really want to fight for parking at the mall?
Friday, Nov. 20
West End String Trio
The Musical Arts Society of Branford will present the West End Strong Trio in a concert to benefit the Branford Historical Society. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on the Branford Green. They will present works by Bach, Beethoven, and Lutoslowski.
For more information, call 203 – 453-0287.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Christmas Fair
St. Therese Church, 105 Leetes Island Road, will hold its Holiday Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring more than 20 vendors, a tag sale, handcrafted items, a penny auction, home-baked goods, antiques, and more.
For more information, call 203 – 488-2998.
Christmas Fair
The Church of Christ Stony Creek will hold its Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with handcrafted Christmas items, ornaments, decorations, gift baskets, home-baked good, homemade jam, and a tag sale. Come for lunch; homemade soup and sandwiches, apple crisp, coffee, tea, and punch will be served. The church is located at 192 Thimble Island Road.
For more information, call 203 – 488-7827.
Cedar Woods Holiday Fair
Cedar Woods Retirement Community’s Holiday Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 80 Cedar St. There will be crafts, a white elephant sale, baked goods, homemade soaps, candy, face painting, and photos with Santa.
For more information, call 203 – 481-6028.
Holly Fair
The North Branford Congregational Church’s Holly Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 1680 Foxon Road, North Branford. Featured will be gift baskets, handmade items, raffles, a jewelry table, and Café Noel, which will serve lunch.
For more information, call 203 – 488-8456.
Holiday Fair
Zion Episcopal Church, 326 Notch Hill Road, North Branford, will hold its Holiday Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Shoreline Arts Trail
Thirty-one artists’ studios in Branford, Guilford, and Madison will be open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 39 artists will be featured. This is the 14th year for the event, which is free and open to the public. For a list of the participants, a map, contact information, and tips to help families enjoy the experience, go to www.shorelineartstrail.com.
Sunday, Nov. 22
Christmas Fair
St. Therese’s Christmas Fair continues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shoreline Arts Trail
The event continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Branford Land Trust Pre-Thanksgiving Walk at the Van Wie Preserve
File Photo
The Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program holds its Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Walk at 1 p.m. at the Van Wie Preserve, led by Bill Horne and Matt Reed. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the refreshing fall weather! Meet at the trailhead at 87 Red Hill Road.
Directions: From Exit 56 on I‑95, go south on Leetes Island Road for 0.1 mile, and turn left (east) onto Red Hill Road. Proceed to #87, which is on the right, and park on the right side of the road. For more information call 203 – 415-1571. For all BLT walks, please dress appropriately and wear comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. All events are free and open to the public.
Monday, Nov. 23
Home for the Holidays
With Permission
Monty
A cocktail party to benefit the Cosgrove Animal Shelter will take place at Home, 1114 Main St., from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door; included are hors d’oeuvres, martini and drink specials, and raffles. Tickets can be purchased by calling 203 – 315-4125 or via Paypal at www.branfordanimalshelter.org.
Thursday, Nov. 26
Annual Thanksgiving Feast
The Community Dining Room, 30 Harrison Ave., will hold its annual Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 1:30 p.m. Free, but food and beverages are accepted.
For more information, call 203 – 488-2791.
Saturday, Nov. 28
Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
The Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting will step off at Branford High School at 6 p.m., proceeding to the Town Green where Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will light the tree. John Witkowsky & Sons Tree Removal donated their time, labor and equipment to string the more than 1,000 new LED lights on the tree. The blue spruce was donated by Bill Van Wilgen 20 years ago. Those attending are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. The rain date is Sunday.
For more information, call 203 – 488-8304.
Sunday, Nov. 29
Holiday Concert
The Connecticut Yuletide Carolers will be featured in a concert at United Methodist Church, 811 East Main St. at 7 p.m. There is a $15 suggested donation.
For more information, call 203 – 673-9485 or visit www.ctyuletide.com
Thursday, Dec. 3
Light Up the Night and Holiday Stroll
Sidewalks along the entire length of Main Street, from the Blackstone Library to G‑Zen, will be aglow with luminaries from dusk to 9 p.m. Stores will offer discounts, special events, and celebrations.
Saturday, Dec. 5
PetValu Anniversary Party
The public is invited to the store’s first anniversary party, which begins at 9 a.m. and continues on Sunday, Dec. 6. There will be free refreshments for pets and their owners, raffles, special savings, adoption information, prizes and more. PetValu, located in Branhaven Plaza, has generously donated supplies and funds to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter and other local shelters.
Christmas Bazaar
Hosted, by the Ladies Guild of St. Mary’s Church, the bazaar will take place in the gym from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The school is located at 62 Cedar St.
For more information, call 203 – 483-8277.
Annual Christmas Open House
Visit the Martha Link Walsh Gallery at 188 N. Main St. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Branford Food Council. Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 7
Ted Kennedy, Jr.’s Office Hours
State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. will listen to your concerns and questions from 5:50 to 7 p.m. at the Willoughby Wallace in Stony Creek, 146 Thimble Island Road.
For more information, visit www.SenatorKennedy.cga.ct.gov.
Friday, Dec. 11
A Cool Yule
The Thimble Islands Saxophone Quartet will perform in a concert featuring songs of good cheer, traditional Christmas carols, and special holiday music. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road. A champagne punch reception and holiday raffle will precede the concert. Proceeds will benefit library programs and services.
Tickets are $15 and are available at the library. Call 203 – 488-8702 for more information.
Saturday, Dec. 12
Live Outdoor Christmas Pageant
File Photo
Visit the Stony Creek Church of Christ Hall, 192 Thimble Island Road. This annual event recreates nativity scenes, complete with actors and live animals. The Branford High Music Makers will perform as will the Stony creek Fife and Drum Corp. Event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information visit: www. stonycreekchurchct.org or call 203 – 488-7827.
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