Mansfield welcomed Santa as he marched in Storrs Center during last year’s Winter Welcome. Carols were played, ice sculptures were made, and a good time was had by all. Photos by Kevin Lindstrom / The Daily Campus.
Mansfield Downtown Partnership will be hosting the seventh annual Winter Welcome on Saturday, Dec. 7, event coordinator Denise Kegler said.
The Winter Welcome will be 3-6 p.m. with seasonal activities all throughout the day, Kegler said. Kegler said there will be a wide range of events for people of all ages.
The newest event for this Winter Welcome will be the Trim-A-Tree contest in which Mansfield businesses, organizations, groups and clubs will create a tree and have a chance to win prizes.
“During the event, guests will vote for their favorite trees and the winners will be announced following the Community Sing-Along,” Kegler said. “Trees may be winter themed, holiday themed or theme of your choice. We encourage participants to think outside of the box.”
Kegler said that the younger guests will enjoy a visit from Santa 3-5 p.m. at Barnes & Noble UConn and the Snow Queen from 3:30=4:30 p.m. in Betsy Paterson Square.
“Enjoy a unique tradition as the dulcet tones of the UConn Marching Band Tubas announce the arrival of Santa Claus in Downtown Storrs,” Kegler said.
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry will presenting “Peter and the Wolf” by National Marionette Theatre as part of their Fall Puppet Performance Series, Kegler said. There will be two performances, one at 11 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.
According to the Downtown Storrs website, tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, by calling 860-486-8580 or online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ballard Institute on the day of performance starting at 10 a.m. There will be open seating day of, as well.
There will also be a narrated preview of The Nutcracker presented by the Mansfield Community Center and Miss Kelly Productions, Kegler said. The full production of The Nutcracker will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.
“For the Seventh Annual Winter Welcome, we are excited to have nine music ensembles offering strolling performances of seasonal favorites,” event coordinator Denise Kegler said.
“In this preview performance, community dancers of all ages will join together to perform the classic tale with an original narration by Miss Kelly,” Kegler said.
During the event, there will be a variety of “seasonal tunes by local musicians as they stroll and sing throughout Downtown Storrs,” according to the Downtown Storrs website. Kegler said that they enjoy having singers from both the Mansfield and UConn community.
“For the Seventh Annual Winter Welcome, we are excited to have nine music ensembles offering strolling performances of seasonal favorites including the E. O. Smith Choir, Mansfield Middle School Chamber Singers, the Consonare Choral Community, the UConn Marching Band Tubas, and five of UConn’s fabulous a cappella groups: Drop the Bass, Husky Hungama, Nothing Cleft to Lose, Rolling Tones, and the UConn Chordials,” Kegler said.
There will also be a Stuff-a-Cruiser Toy Drive lead by the Mansfield Resident Troopers, Kegler said. From 3 to 5 p.m., they will be collecting toys to be distributed by the Town of Mansfield Human Services Department at Betsy Paterson Square
“Bring an unwrapped toy or gift card to donate to a child in need this holiday season,” Kegler said.
Rachel Philipson is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at rachel.philipson@uconn.edu.