New Fairfield puts most of its holiday season into one Saturday. On November 28, the town's Parks and Recreation Department runs what it calls a holiday extravaganza: Santa's Workshop at the library, goats on Memorial Field, a vintage train and toy exhibit, a lighted parade of fire trucks and floats down Route 37 and Route 39, and the lighting of the town tree. A week earlier, the town's Run for the Turkeys reaches its 42nd year.

Here is the day in order, from the town's November newsletter and the Parks and Recreation flyers, plus the rest of the season in this northern Fairfield County town on Candlewood Lake.

Saturday, November 28: the daytime

  • 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: The Friends of the New Fairfield Library hold their Holiday Boutique in the library's program room.
  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: The historic houses behind the Senior Center open for a vintage train and toy exhibit, a fundraiser for Preserve NF. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, free under 2, and includes a holiday treat.
  • 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Santa's Workshop at the library, presented by Parks and Recreation with the New Fairfield Library. Children can visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves, with appearances from Buddy the Elf, the Grinch, Frosty, Rudolph and the Gingerbread Man. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus are by reserved time slot only; register one family member and the number of children through Parks and Recreation on the town website, or by calling 203-312-5633, until November 25.
  • 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.: A free craft in the children's room of the library, while supplies last.
  • 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Behind Town Hall on Memorial Field, families can visit goats from Got Your Goat if the weather allows, including baby goats in holiday outfits and older goats to take for a walk.
  • 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Small Business Saturday. The NF Food Center has a holiday treat for children, the Burger Barn offers a free Christmas treat, and Froggy's serves hot cocoa and a treat for children and hot coffee for parents.
  • 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.: The New Fairfield High School Drumline performs outside the library.

The parade and the tree

The Holiday Light Parade steps off at 5:15 p.m. from the Senior Center at 33 Route 37. The route runs to the traffic light, turns right onto Route 39, and passes Town Hall before ending at Memorial Field. Past parades, pictured in the town's flyer, have featured fire trucks and big rigs strung with lights. Organizations and businesses are invited to enter; participants must register in advance by calling Parks and Recreation at 203-312-5633.

At 5:45 p.m., Santa lights the town Christmas tree on Memorial Field while the New Fairfield High School Chamber Ensemble sings carols at the gazebo. Free hot cocoa and coffee are served by Starbucks, with hot chocolate donated by Gil's Auto and Truck Repair.

A week earlier: the 42nd Run for the Turkeys

The town's 5K road race and health walk is Sunday, November 22, at New Fairfield High School, 54 Gillotti Road. Race bibs are handed out on race day from 9 a.m., a Kids Fun Run on the high school track starts at 9:30 a.m., and the 5K starts at 11 a.m. sharp. The race has digital timing, music along the route and trophies, and prizes go to the top three Thanksgiving costumes. Spectators are welcome.

Registration is $25 for runners on RunSignup, $10 for walkers and $5 for the Kids Fun Run, with walkers and kids registering through the Parks and Recreation online system or by phone at 203-312-5633. Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the New Fairfield Social Services food pantry.

December: the light displays

Parks and Recreation is also collecting houses for New Fairfield's Great Holiday Light Displays. Residents who register by December 4 (203-312-5633, or online through Parks and Recreation) agree to add their address to a town map of places to see holiday lights and to keep their displays lit from December 14 to December 23. The list of addresses is posted on the department's webpage.

Getting there

The parade starts at the Senior Center, 33 Route 37, and ends at Memorial Field behind Town Hall, where the tree is lit. Town buildings close at noon on Wednesday, November 25, and stay closed Thanksgiving Day and the day after. Questions about any of the Parks and Recreation events go to 203-312-5633.

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