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The Santa House is open to visitors in downtown Bristol
The James D. Rielly Foundation is welcoming visitors to its Santa Houses, located in downtown Bristol, on select dates from now through the end of the year. The Santa house, which first appeared here in 2021, is open to the public on select Thursdays through Sundays. In addition, appointment-only days will be held throughout the month.
ABOVE: The Santa House is located next to the historic Bristol Statehouse building, facing High Street, on the Town Common. To find out more, visit the Santa House website at bristolsantahouse.org/ RIGHT: Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome visitors during an open house held last month.
PHOTOS BY RICHARD W. DIONNE JR.
It’s Christmas in Bristol all this weekend
The Bristol Christmas Festival has trolleys, trains, markets and more this Saturday and Sunday
BY CHRISTIAN SILVIA csilvia@eastbaymediagroup.com
With Thanksgiving now in the past, Bristol turns its attention to the next holiday, with its fourth annual Christmas Festival coming up this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8. The festival will be anchored in two locations about a block away from each other, with free trolleys rolling between those locations and other shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.
At Unity Park on Wood Street will be a “Culinary Market,” with at least 15 local vendors offering their own foods and goods. A block away, at First Congregational Church on High Street, will be a “Crafts & Gifts Vendor Market” featuring more than two dozen different booths. Both are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Dave Scarpino, who is chairman of the Bristol Christmas Festival Committee, said the festival, which embodies a European marketplace, is a collaboration between the festival committee and the Bristol Merchants Association.
“It’s really trying to take all the folks who come into the town in those two days and spread them around so they not only go to Unity Park, but they go downtown, and they also go to the iconic sites,” Scarpino said.
The festival will have two trolleys that carry visitors from Unity Park on different routes around Bristol. Both will stop at First Congregational Church, while one will loop through the downtown and out to both Blithewold Mansion and Mount Hope Farm, and the other will roll to Thames Streets and State Street before returning to its Unity Park base.
Lindsay Hayes of the merchants association is spearheading the collaboration with the businesses outside of Unity Park. She said the trolleys are a way to encourage more movement throughout town, especially in the event of unpredictable weather.
Over at Unity Park, there will be European-style Christmas food huts, which will feature a wide variety of foods, such as apple cakes and traditional German Christmas cookies. Also, there will be live entertainment from local entertain-
Cindy Miller and the Unlikely Strummers perform in the middle of Hope Street during the
2023. Concerns about safety and congestion compelled organizers to relocate the
inland this
so
will be based at Unity Park on Wood Street.
ers, which will include a Grinch for the festivities, and a small train that runs on a tractor-like engine for the children, free of charge.
On display will be a wide variety of items, notable vintage Christmas decorations that Scarpino believes were on display in the Town Common more than half a century ago.
Local businesses, both in and out of Unity Park, are participating as well. At Unity Park, all businesses will be open during the festival for customers to come in. Outside, a wide variety of events will happen, which was orchestrated with the help of the BMA.
“Mount Hope Farm is going to have fire pits outside, and they’re going to be doing a holiday farmers’ market. Blithewold is going to be all decorated. So everyone is doing things,” Scarpino said.
Last year, the festival brought in an estimated 8,000 people over the two days. For more about the festival and schedule, visit: christmasbristolri.com/
The Christmas Festival will blend live performances with dozens of vendor booths, free trolleys and more.
RICHARD W. DIONNE JR.
Bristol Christmas Festival of
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Reasons to Discover Warren during the holidays
Warren kicked off the holiday season with its official lighting and festivities last weekend, but that is just the beginning. Discover Warren is promoting visits to the seaside town throughout the holiday season, with local businesses offering reasons to get out and shop.
Nectar de la Vida
Holiday hours starting in December: Open 7 days a week, 104:30 except Sundays (12-4)
Imagine
Special holiday hours Dec. 19 to 23, open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Christmas Eve 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Aye Images
Holiday hours. December: open 10
a.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday & Saturday or by appointment
Hosting a woman-owned small business pop-up on Dec. 10 for a soap making workshop
Revival Craft Kitchen and Bar
Thru Christmas Eve: Free $20 gift card for every $100 in gift cards purchased
Archive Book and Snackery
Our Second Sunday Supper Club will be a holiday party this month, featuring tacos, drink specials and live music at 6 p.m.
Ink FishBooks
Book signings: Dec. 3, 12-2 p.m. with local cookbook author Leo N. Orsi, Jr., “The Fisherman’s Kitchen”
Dec. 10, 12-2 p.m. with local authors Martha Reynolds and Belle DeCosta Dec. 17, 12-2 p.m. with local cookbook author Amanda Quay Blount, “Meet Me At The Biltmore”
The Collaborative
Friday, Dec. 16, the annual Holiday Story Night at 7:30 p.m. + Collaborator holiday greeting cards available for purchase.
DISH
Special SALE section and reDISH+ cashmere, cotton, and sustainable fashion for the most meaningful gifts. Call ahead for extended hours (there may be bubbly!)
Warren kicks off its holiday season with its official lighting festival the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Bristol’s Grand Illumination is Saturday night
The heart of the recently expanded, two-day Bristol Christmas Festival remains the ceremony known as the “Grand Illumination.” Held each year since 1987, the Grand Illumination includes a short program of activities and entertainment before the town flips the switch on its downtown holiday lights, which extend along Hope Street, State Street and Thames Street. The Grand Illumination takes place this Saturday, Dec. 7. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Burnside Memorial Building (corner of Hope and Court streets downtown), and the official lighting is at 6:00 p.m. The downtown streets will be closed to motor vehicles so visitors can stroll through the streets before and during the event.
Help a Family in Need
This Winter
Scan the QR Code for Submissions
Heat for the Holidays - Gas Furnace Giveaway
As the holidays approach, while we think of the joyful gatherings and celebrations, we also think of members of our community who may NOT be looking forward to the holidays or the drop in temperature that comes with the season. Please help us give the gift of heat and comfort this year.
Please nominate a family or person you believe is in need and deserving of a FREE furnace. Nominations will be accepted Nov 1st - Dec 14th, 2024.
All entries MUST include: Your name and the name, phone number, email, and home address of the person you are nominating. Also, include a short narrative on why they should receive a free furnace.
Furnace will be installed by January 4th, 2025*
*Please follow the QR code for complete details, requirements, and restrictions. Exact installation date dependant upon schedule availability.
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
Holidays HAPPY
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‘Christmas at Blithewold’ has trees and teas
The volunteer decorators at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum on Ferry Road in Bristol carry on a tradition that dates back to the late 19th and early 20th century when the Van Wickle/McKee family would return to Blithewold to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
Volunteers transform the house and grounds for the annual “Christmas at Blithewold” celebration each year. The theme for this year is “The Early Years: The Bristol Community and Blithewold, 1896-1914.” Each room of the mansion is filled with the magic of Christmas, from trees, roping and swags, to decorations, lit fireplaces and holiday finery laid out for parties and gatherings.
This year’s celebration is ongoing through Jan. 5 (closed Dec. 24 and 25). The manor and grounds will be open on Wednesdays to Sundays (and Monday during school vacation week in December) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the manor might close early occasionally for special events).
Admission (which does not include “Sparkle!”) is $22 for adults, $11 ages 11 to 16, $6 ages 6 to 10, $50 for a family of two adults and two children, $18 for military
and students and $2 for those with SNAP/ EBT.
Some special events are already sold out. Reservations are needed for events listed below. So, don’t delay. Visit www. blithewold.org for details and reservations.
n Enjoy afternoon tea on Tuesdays to Fridays, Nov. 26 to Jan. 3 (except Dec. 24 and 25), with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the dining room and breakfast porch. Enjoy scones with sweet cream, and a three-tiered tray filled with sweet and savory treats. The price includes admission to the manor and grounds. It is $55 per person; $40 members. Seating is limited.
n “A Night with the Butler and Lady’s Maid” is on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s a special self-guided tour with only the soft glow of holiday lights. Meet members of the household staff from the 1910s as you explore the house and learn about their lives and duties. Arrival times are at 5 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. It is $30; $20 for members.
n “Music in the Living Room” is on Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 21, and Sundays, Dec. 8 to 22, from 1 to 2 p.m. Tickets
include admission to the manor and grounds. Registration is required. See performers and prices on the website.
n A holiday centerpiece workshop is on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. Make a seasonal arrangement to take home. Limited to 12. The fee is $145; $125 members.
The big tree in the foyer, which soars to the second floor, celebrates Bristol’s Fourth of July parade and the picnic the family hosted after the parade on the Great Lawn. Teresa Converse has led decorating efforts for the tree, the surrounding doorways and the stairs for the past six years.
The master bedroom and bath highlight Bessie McKee’s love of gardens and horticulture, with room decor by Mary Frances Brown.
Blithewold has a special ‘Sparkle’ throughout the holidays
Christmas at Blithewold is a celebration both inside the mansion and throughout the grounds.
Outside, visitors can explore Blithewold’s illuminated gardens and grounds as they collect scavenger hunt clues, gather around cozy fires in the Enclosed Garden and listen while seasonal music floats through the air.
Beautifully illuminated paths wind throughout the grounds to stunning, newly expanded light displays, handmade bamboo lanterns, and fun photo-ops with the Big Beautiful Bamboo Birds.
The last admission will be accepted at 7 p.m., and the property closes at 8 p.m.
Registration is required. Dates are Thursdays to Saturdays into January. Visit blithewold.org to learn more or to buy tickets.
The price includes a visit to the manor and grounds.
The Blithewold grounds are beautifully decorated for the season.
Linden Place is looking its best for the holidays, and visitors are welcome to enjoy the scenery every day the mansion is open, but there are two special days ahead in December. On Fridays, Dec. 13 and 20, Linden Place will be open unique hours, from 4 to 8 p.m., and staffed with docents to answer questions and share insights into the 1810 mansion’s rich history. Standard tour prices are $12 ($10 for seniors) and can be purchased in advance at lindenplace.org or at the mansion, which is located at 500 Hope St. in Bristol.
The story of Warren’s Water Street lighting tradition
A crazy idea, a few ‘guys,’ and some nice handwriting helped bring holiday lights to Water Street 40 years ago
Editor’s note: This delightful story of how holiday lights came to Water Street in Warren is posted on the Warren Holiday Festival website. The majority is written by Bill Estrella, telling the story in his own words.
It would have been more than 40 years ago when Bill Estrella’s mother wondered why there were not any holiday lights on Water Street in Warren. Bill said that if he got elected to a town office, he’d do something about that.
In November of 1984, Bill did get elected, and true to his word, as a ‘guy who knew some guys,’ he spoke to several knowledgeable Warren friends to figure out how it could be done …
As Bill remembers it …
“I remember first asking some of my Fire Department ‘brothers’ for ideas, but most thought it ‘impossible.’ That merely turned the challenge into ‘An Adventure’ for me … a Christmas Quest.
“John Galinelli, a senior firefighter AND Narragansett Electric Company line foreman, gave me direction on how the project could be done but also advised that it would take time and money.
“… Undeterred, I met Davison Bolster walking on Water Street to Mercier’s Hardware. He didn’t seem to think I was out of my mind (at the time). We were talking about the plan at the counter when Gary Wagenbach, owner of Mercier’s, chimed in. ‘Well,’ said Gary, ‘I’ve got a couple of cases of white Christmas lights that I’ll give you … you just have to put them up and figure out how to plug them in!’ GREAT… (here is when Davison begins to question my sanity).
“Well, here was my plan:
“I bought 3-4 broom-handles and a box of nails from Mercier’s to make ‘Christmas Light Hanging Sticks.’ Then I used the ‘Tom Sawyer-Huck Finn approach’ to get Davison and some of my Fire Station buddies to help me hang the 200 strings of lights in the
trees from Church Street to the Junction (where Water and Main streets meet). The trees were a lot bigger back then (a story for another day).
“Since I was working more than full time as an Emergency Department RN, the project became more of a ‘Forced March’ in near darkness and coldest hours of the day than the Mark Twain’s fence white-washing project!
“Ahhh, now to plug the lights in … Well, for years I had the honor and privilege to have one of the biggest newspaper routes in Warren, covering most of the North end. My Christmas tradition, suggested by my wise mom, was to hand-cut trees and mittens from colored construction paper, write Holiday wishes on them, and put them in the newspapers I delivered on Christmas Eve morning and Christmas morning (Mom disapproved the idea of stuffing a cheap card in a white envelope the Saturday before Christmas because it ‘inferred that the customer should put a tip in it and you know…some of our neighbors just can’t afford that!).’
“So, I explained the history of the cards and my idea to my new wife, Ellen, who easily figured out that the story was really only a ploy to have her write the cards, especially ‘since you have such nice handwriting.’ The construction paper cards were beautiful, and the note with instructions to ‘Please plug in the lights in the trees in front of your house the night after Thanksgiving around 6 p.m. when you hear the siren. If you need an extension cord, please go to Mercier’s to pick one up or give me a call to help.’
(Oh, I also told Gary to put the cost of any extension cords, for which our neighbors came in, on my ‘tab’ … yep, many ‘Nort-enders’ were given the courtesy of a ‘Tab’ at Mercier’s).
“The Big Night. Well, for quite some time, Main Street had been adorned with real Christmas trees on 12-foot poles decorated with big colored lights, and there was a Creche (Nativity Scene) set up on the Town Hall lawn … I’ll tell you that story another time! Traditionally the lights for the display and trees would be turned on by someone selected by the Town Council President on the night of the first council meeting in December.
“Time for a new tradition — Light up
Water Street then march to the Town Hall. By the way, I was not really sure my plan would work … but, by now, you know that I’m a bit unbalanced.
“Around 5 p.m., Capt. Vinny Calenda, with the old Open Cab Engine 3, met me on the water end of Miller and Water streets. It was really cold with snow-flurries, so we moved the trash
barrel from Baker Street Park to our spot, put some scrap wood in it, and lit a fire. As I was whispering a little silent prayer and talking to my bride and Vinny, dozens of ‘Nort-enders’ started to show up!
“Then Nathanial Porter Inn’s owner, Bob Warren, marched up Water Street with his dad and the Kentish Guards in full Redcoats with drums, fifes, flags, and guns! ‘Well, I guess we’ll have a PARADE too!’
“Just before quarter to 6, another neighbor and dear family friend, Gladys Sweet, came up to me in tears, asking if her granddaughter, who was very sick, could launch the lighting … ‘Of Course!’
“The little girl was pretty cold so I lifted her onto the seat of Engine 3, where Capt. Calenda had cranked on the heat. It was only 10 minutes to 6 but she was so excited that she jumped up to get a better look and stepped on the siren button; the Kentish Guard officer gave the order to ‘Fire!’. AND … all our ‘Nort-end’ Neighbors plugged in their lights!!!
