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11/20/2017 11:00 PMWhile the recent temperamental temperatures don’t exactly match the current festive season, Guilford is still getting ready for the annual Tree Lighting on the Guilford Green, as well as numerous other holiday fundraisers and events surrounding the lighting.
The Tree Lighting takes place Friday, Dec. 1 on the Town Green starting at 6 p.m. While the lighting of the tree may be the centerpiece of the event, that evening residents can also admire the luminaria on the Green provided by the Youth Advisory Group, the Candlelight Walk on Broad Street decorated by the Garden Club, the Handbell Concert at 5:30 p.m. at St. George Church, The Guilford High School Concerts at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2, the Firelight Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Henry Whitfield State Museum, as well as many other events, all which can be found on the town website www.ci.guilford.ct.us.
In the days and weeks before and after the tree lighting, other organizations around town are preparing for the holidays and many important causes.
The Guilford Social Services Department along with the VFW and Auxiliary, the American Legion, Guilford Rotary, Guilford Parks & Rec & Seniors, and Guilford Food Bank have teamed up again for the 2017 Holiday Food Basket Program. Using a new location this year due to construction at the VFW, all donations should be dropped of at the Little Red Barn at Bishop’s Orchard Farm Market on Boston Post Road.
Christmas Food Basket donations can be dropped of Sunday, Dec. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 18 and 19, from 2 to 6 p.m.; distribution of baskets is on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
Organizers have put out a call for volunteers and those interested should contact Larry Santamaria at 203-535-6640 or 203-453-8471. All food supplies not distributed for the holiday programs are brought to the Guilford Food Bank for distribution.
Guilford’s firefighters are bringing back their annual Santa Christmas Gift Delivery program this year as well. The professional firefighters in town will deliver gifts from Santa on a fire truck from Monday to Thursday, Dec. 11 to 14. Families are asked to sign up for a delivery time and drop off gifts in advance by Friday, Dec. 1. More information on the event and how to sign up can be found via a link with this story online or by emailing santa@local4177.com.
One of the volunteer fire companies is sponsoring a holiday fundraiser this year too. Eagle Hose Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 is holding a wreath sale at the firehouse on Whitfield Street to raise money for the new roof. The company has been around 1852 and while the roof on the building isn’t the original, Company President Bud Pierson, who has been with the company since 1964, said it’s likely more than 50 years old. While the town helps with the upkeep and replacement of equipment, the firefighters are responsible for the upkeep of the building.
“It’s to my understanding one of the oldest active volunteer fire stations in the state and the building just needs repairs,” he said. “The biggest repair is the roof…It will take a lot of fundraising, but we have to start somewhere.”
The volunteer fire company, which is owned by the firefighters, is selling wreaths, door swags, and evergreen candy canes. People can stop by the firehouse at 120 Whitfield Street on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. during the tree lighting, and Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All merchandise is provided by Melissa Carroll of the Guilford Greenery.
“We thought we would give it a shot and hopefully we make it annual,” she said. “That is the goal—to make it an annual fundraiser for the firehouse.”