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11/24/2020 12:04 PMThe annual tree lighting and festivities on the North Haven Green have been a tradition for many families for years, but like the majority of events of 2020, adjustments have had to be made due to COVID. With numbers on the rise, the town has decided to do a virtual tree lighting this year.
“The reality is, as much as I’d like to have the ceremony, we get 1,000 people on the green and it ends up being a violation of the rules and regulations in terms of outdoor gatherings,” said First Selectman Mike Freda. “Normally we’d have all kinds of activities, but this year, it will just be the tree lighting, though we will still be decorating the center block and Town Hall.”
On Friday, Dec. 4 at 4:45 p.m., Freda will be on the steps of Town Hall offering a holiday greeting followed by the tree lighting. The tree lighting will be filmed live and streamed on North Haven TV. It will also be aired on NHTV afterwards for anyone who misses the live event.
While the festivities on the green will not be taking place, there will be a new holiday event in town. The Landing of North Haven presents A Winter Wonderland, A Drive Through Event, from 5 to 8 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 10, 11, and 12. Jill DeChello is coordinating the event, having most recently coordinating the Pumpkin Patch Drive Through at The Landing. That event drew more than 700 cars.
“This is inspired by my love of the holidays and desire to be able to create an event that was safe, happy, and fun,” said DeChello. “It was reinforced by the popularity of the The Pumpkin Patch.”
DeChello has coordinated many events in town over the years, including a Chili Cook-Off, Spring Festival with a Princess and a Maypole, and two years of Town Trek, a version of The Amazing Race. All of DeChello’s events benefit non-profits and the Town of North Haven. There is a requested minimum donation of $10 per car to enter and the Winter Wonderland will benefit the Italian American Youth Foundation, Inc.
“The Italian Youth Foundation will use the funds raised to enhance the holidays of families in North Haven,” said DeChello. “It’s a great organization.”
A Winter Wonderland is sponsored by MedicareCT.com, Health Insurance Associates, Stay At Homecare, LLC, and North Haven Magazine. DeChello is not only thankful for the sponsors of the events, but for the partnership she has formed with The Landing, a senior assisted living facility.
“The residents and the businesses in North Haven are supportive and generous,” said DeChello. “As an event planner, I was excited to work with The Landing from the minute they opened. They have a great flow for outdoor events, and then I met Donna and Eric and I knew I had to do events there. They are the nicest people.”
The Landing not only allows its space to be used, but the residents also get involved. For the Pumpkin Patch, many residents carved pumpkins. For Winter Wonderland, they will be helping to decorate trees. The residents also get to enjoy the drive-through in The Landing’s van.
The grounds of The Landing will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, complete with elves, gingerbread houses, holiday trees, the Grinch, and maybe even Santa himself. DeChello is seeking the public’s help in making the event a success, hoping to borrow items such as a snowmaker, artificial trees that will be returned, sets of Christmas lights, a reindeer, or inflatable Christmas pieces.
“I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else but North Haven, so I want to make the town the best it can be,” said DeChello. “Our local government has all the hard stuff covered, I just want to offer the town a little fun. I truly believe in kindness and I like to give.”
For information, contact Jill DeChello at 203-248-0076 or wincmarket@aol.com.