Henry Park Lights Go On, Weather Prompts Vernon Winterfest Move

VERNON, Connecticut — The annual holiday light display was illuminated at Henry Park Thursday, but a rainy Friday forecast prompted officials to move the annual Vernon Winterfest event to next week. The Santa House will open as scheduled.

Winterfest is now scheduled for Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

The Parks and Recreation Department's Arctic Splash, scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 p.m., will go forward, officials said.

"We have been watching the weather closely and the forecast is for rain Friday evening," Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. "To ensure everyone has a great time at Winterfest, we're going to push it to next Thursday."

Due to the rescheduling, the event will not have the fire truck parade.

The Santa House, located in Central Park in front of Vernon Town Hall, will open for the season on Saturday. Santa will receive visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thereafter, the Santa House hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 23 and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 21.

The annual holiday light display at Henry Park was illuminated Thursday evening and the drive-through display will be lit during the holiday season.