City of Woonsocket Announces Third Annual Holiday Stroll

Main Street will come alive with holiday cheer once again this year at the third annual Holiday Stroll, a festival with live entertainment, carriage rides, food and song in Woonsocket's historic downtown district, beginning with a tree lighting ceremony next to City Hall.

The Holiday Stroll is a result of the collaboration of many of the city's businesses, non-profits and government to bring cheer to Main Street from Market Square to Monument Square. Each year the event has grown, drawing more vendors and offering more attractions.

"The Holiday Stroll celebrates the season, our local artistic talent and the landmarks of our historic Main Street with a series of attractions and events that will appeal to the whole family" said Mayor Leo T. Fontaine in a release today. "We are going to ring in the Christmas season in style," he added.

The event will take place on Monday Dec. 12, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Live performers will offer amusement including fire dancing, singing, and theatrical performances; food and craft vendors will offer refreshment and shopping opportunities; and a gingerbread contest beckons to the creative side for all wishing to participate. A horse drawn carriage will provide complimentary rides from Market Square to the historic Woonsocket Depot, where more singing and the Polar Express Gift shop offer additional attractions.

"Be sure to bring your little ones," Fontaine advised. The City Christmas tree will be lit at 4:30 p.m., and Santa will be waiting in the mini park beside City Hall to gather lists from the children who visit his house. There will also be candy canes and hot chocolate to go around.

There is parking available in the surrounding Municipal Parking Lots located up and down Main Street.

The list below details all event features confirmed to date. Additional attractions may be added.

Ongoing attractions all evening:

Spogga, Fire Dancer: Fire show on Market Square stage area featuring Spogga, an artist who often appears at Waterfire in Providence

The will host local singing groups from schools and churches, and individual entertainers, indoors at the historic Train Depot at the intersection of Main and High Streets; local artists will display their works.

Blackstone Valley Tourism will also open the Polar Express Gift Shop at the Depot.

The Woonsocket Police Department will be collecting Toys for Tots at Santa’s House in the park next to City Hall.

Le Moulin Village, the mill complex at 68 South Main Street, will be hosting
exhibitions in fencing, kickboxing, dance, art and spinning; also, arts and crafts
vendors will have wares for sale all evening.

Horse and Carriage Rides (complimentary) from Whispering Winds Horse Farm.
Pick up and drop-off locations will be in front of Le Moulin Village and the Depot.

, located in the Le Moulin Village building on Island Place, will have  “sweet treats” (juried art exhibition) and “libations” (entertainment.)

, 91 Main Street, will be a drop off and display site for the “The Ginger
Bread House Contest.” The contest will have amateur and professional divisions with prizes for best. Judges: local radio hosts personalities Roger Bouchard and Dave Dean. The Cakery will also have local vendors selling chocolate, jewelry, and honey products.

Food and goods vendors, located in the Mullen municipal parking iot across from the Woonsocket Call:

- Mickey G’s Clam Shack, featuring fried dough boys, chowder 11’ clam cakes
and hot apple cider;
- Mijos Taco Wagon, a Los Angeles style taco truck, will serve tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, tostadas and imported cane sugar Mexican sodas
-4 Local Boy Scout Troop 3144 will be selling wreaths
- Snowskate demonstration by Icon Snowskates

Throughout the evening, singers, many in costume, will stroll Main Street and
perform favorite Christmas songs, old and new. Groups include Mount Rush 4, The Generations Barbershop Quartet, and the Woonsocket High School Choir

Events on a schedule:

4:30 p.m.

The official City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Begins in the “Mini Park” located next to City Hall at 169 Main Street. Santa Claus will arrive after the Mayor has lit the tree. The Ocean State School of Performing Arts featuring the Ocean State Starlettes.

5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.

Live performance of “Holidays at Finlay’s Comer,” a short piay recounting the lives of workers celebrating Christmas in the late 19205, at the, 42 South Main Street. Admission free. Hot chocolate will be served.