Popular holiday events planned on Green for Dec. 14

By Deborah Rose

The community will unite in song and celebration Dec. 14.

Two popular holiday events – the annual Carol Sing and the Parade of Lights – will take center stage on the Village Green.

The annual Carol Sing at the bandstand will kick off the festivities at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Parade of Lights at 7:30 p.m.

The Carol Sing that was inaugurated in 1977 in conjunction with the arts commission by Skitch Henderson, then the conductor of the New York Pops and a New Milford resident, who died in 2005.

It has been held annually, except twice, once in 2020 during the pandemic and another time due to inclement weather.

The Carol Sing is one of the few events that has been around for almost 50 years.

This year, it is co-sponsored by Distinct Storage.

Janelle Robinson, a professional singer who has performed on Broadway and TV and in film, will lead the Carol Sing that had for decades been led by the late Al Bayers Jr. Last year, Missy Hanlon lead the singing. 

Robinson, who is adjunct faculty at the Hartt School of Music and Western Connecticut State University,  will be accompanied by TheatreWorks youth and Ann Quackenbos on keyboard.

“It promises to be just the right wintry weather to once again gather on the Green in the spirit of the season,” said Lou Mandler, chair of the New Milford Commission on the Arts. “Come and sing.”

Battery-operated luminaries and songbooks will be distributed to the crowd, and hot cocoa will be available, courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts.

At the conclusion of the Carol Sing, the Parade of Lights will illuminate downtown and spectators will watch from several locations along the Green and side streets.

The event, organized by Water Witch Hose Co. #2, will feature decorated fire trucks, ambulances, motorcycles, cars and trucks, and commercial, farm and construction vehicles.

Water Witch officials reported the number of participants is expected to be the “biggest yet.”

Last year, somewhere between 150 and 200 vehicles participated.

“It’s going to be epic,” Sean Delaney, second assistant chief, said of this year's parade.

The parade will line up on South Main Street, then head up the northbound lane of Main Street, down the southbound lane of Main Street, turn right on Bridge Street, turn right into Patriots Way, head to Housatonic Avenue, then Young’s Field before traveling back to the firehouse.

Participants come from throughout the region, including from nearby states. 

Water Witch officials advise attendees to “stand back from the curbs and do not stand between the parallel parked cars on the northbound side of the Green.”

“We promise you will be able to see the show just as well if you stand back on the Green,” they said.

The parade began almost a decade ago, initially piggybacking on the fire department’s Santa Express. 

Trophies will be awarded.

Photo courtesy of Water Witch Hose Co. #2 Facebook page