Winterfest Weekend and First Friday team up for a packed weekend of fun and festivities featuring book signings, a Garfield Holiday Show, chorales, toy train exhibit, caroling, ghostwalks, music at the GAR Hall and even a gingerbread cookies workshop.
It’s also a perfect weekend to stroll through town and look at the wide variety of holiday lights adorning businesses and Fountain Park. The Spy salutes the tremendous effort retailers and the municipality put forth to make the town sparkle for this holiday season.
First Friday will be kicked off with Kent County Public Library’s 2nd Annual Toy Train & Model Railroad Exhibit from 4pm – 8pm. This popular operating exhibit is presented by Bob and David Singer and features O and Standard Gauge tinplate trains for the 1920s and 1930s.
Den Leventhal will read from his book and sign copies at the Bookplate on Friday at 6:30
A Community Candle Lighting will be held in Fountain Park 5:30. Luminaries will highlight the celebration and Kent School caroling will provide the holiday songs throughout the evening.
At 6:30, warm up with a visit to the Bookplate Bookstore where author Den Leventhal will be reading from his book, How to Leap a Great Wall in China. Leventhal spent 30 years in China as a business development specialist and put together a series of stories reflecting his experience in learning the nuances of cross-cultural commerce. Wesleyan University Prof. Vera Schawarcz remarked about the book, “A seasoned, savvy China expert with a keen sense of what works in actual business encounters, Leventhal has crafted a unique book. It weaves together well-told tales chuck full of tiny details that make up genuine intercultural competence. “OMG a la chinoise” and “subcutaneous xenophobia” are just some of the unusual morsels awaiting the reader along with vivid lessons from Chinese history and philosophy”
At 7pm Friday and Saturday and 2pm Sunday, the Garfield Theatre will be putting up their “Easter Shore Home Companion, “Part broadcast variety show, part old-time radio play, part live theatre event. Set during a live radio broadcast of a holiday show, hilarity ensues when the big celebrity talent fails to materialize and the ensemble must put together a show without the star attraction. Written specifically to showcase the Garfield Repertoire Players unique talents and featuring a veritable “who’s who” of local musicians, lead by celebrated pianist Joe Holt, the production is sure to become an instant classic for audiences. Featuring a dramatic in-show radio play, local church choirs singing carols, slapstick comedy and surprise guests, the show truly celebrates the diverse talent and entertainment that the Garfield Center strives to offer its audiences year round. Bill Arrowood produces and Lucia Foster serves as director guaranteeing that the Spirit of the Season will shine as brightly on the Garfield Stage.
At 8pm, the Chester River Choral Holiday Concert will be held at the Presbyterian Church.
Saturday offers a host of activities starting with Farmer’s Market at 8pm. Check the schedule below to plan your day!
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