The fourth annual Old Saybrook Starlight Festival will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. in downtown Old Saybrook.

The Starlight Festival is a relatively new event in town – the first one was held in 2021. Organizers hope the day will continue to be an event that brings the whole community together. The event will largely take place on the Town Green, with family-friendly activities lasting until 5 p.m. A sample of some of the events that will take place during the day includes horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, Ms. Emily reading stories, face painting, a craft table, cookie sales, holiday cards for service members, wreaths, and, of course, free hot chocolate on the patio of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate).

Jennifer Donahue, the director of economic development and communications for the Town of Old Saybrook, said that this year will bring some new features to the festival.

“This year, we will have two food trucks at the Town Green – Frank Andrews Mobile Kitchen and Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies. There will be a kids sing-along from 2 to 2:30 p.m. before Santa arrives and a scavenger hunt sponsored by the library. The Old Saybrook Garden Club will host a holiday greens table where adults and children can make an arrangement. Connecticut Yuletide Carolers will entertain on Main Street, and the Senior Strings, a mature group of local musicians accompanied by ukulele, guitar, and flute, will entertain on the Town Green. There will be a hula hooping demonstration/ activity on the Town Green. And the Lions Club will break out their new popcorn machine while the Knight of Columbus serves hot beignets. We are also giving away two family four packs of tickets to see Frosty at The Kate on Dec. 14,” Donahue said.

A full breakdown of all the offerings is available on www.sayoldsaybrook.com.

For those in the Christmas spirit, Santa will arrive by fire truck at 2:30 p.m. He will be stationed in front of the gazebo on the Town Green until 4:30 p.m., and volunteers will be on hand to take pictures of families with Santa.

On a more serious note, The Blue Star Moms will be present with material so attendees can decorate holiday cards for service members who cannot be home for the holidays. Meanwhile, at 5 p.m., the Heroes Tree at The Kate will be lit by the Gold Star Moms in honor of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

For years, Old Saybrook residents would make a trip down to 122 College Street at Christmas time to see the impressive decorations put out by Joan Van Epps at her house. Sadly, Van Epps passed away a few years ago, and her house has since been sold. However, her spirit lives on as her family donated lights and decorations to the town to be used in the Starlight Festival. The Holiday Inflatables Walk will feature inflatable characters donated by the Van Epps family from her collection.

The Starlight Festival was first held three years ago, and since then, the event has grown each year.

“This is our fourth year, and we have more participation from local groups than ever before, and last year, we doubled the number of restaurants participating in response to a need for more food on the Town Green where we have so many families gather. We have added a couple of food trucks this year to help with that demand. We were really happy with the turnout on Main Street last year, and the Town Green was packed with families,” Donahue said.

Donahue said her favorite part is simply seeing people out enjoying themselves.

“I love the hustle and bustle of the day. There is something for all ages. Whether you are coming because you have a young family eager to see Santa and get their face painted, or you want to shop and grab a cocktail or bite to eat, the holiday spirit is out in full force. Youth and Family Services, the Acton Library, Parks and Rec, the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber, the Kate, and our merchants and restaurants really go all out to make sure everyone has a good time. It’s a great way to kick off the season! ,” Donahue said.