4 Tree Lightings, 3 Bands, 1 Happy City: Holiday on Main Starts Fri

The three weekend-long Holiday on Main kicks off Friday with a parade led by the Middletown, Woodrow Wilson and Keigwin middle school bands, a student choral concert on the South Green, and four tree lightings led by Santa and Mayor Dan Drew on a horse-drawn carriage.

Many more events will be packed into the four days, including photographs with Santa, holiday films, ornament decorating workshops, holiday story times, a mobile petting zoo, fun train rides and dance and kung fu demonstrations.

New this year will be Santa's Stamp Hunt in which families stop by the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street to pick up a passport sheet with stamps hidden within walking distance of 393 Main Street. Children who find all 10 stamps can redeem their completed form for a Golden Ticket milk and cookies hour with Santa on Dec. 14.

There will be two charitable drives as well: Holy Trinity Church will be collecting nonperishable food items for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry throughout the month. Webster Bank's Giving Tree will be accepting donations to benefit the food pantry at 363 Main Street Nov. 29 to Dec. 20.

Middletown's 28th Annual Holiday On Main Street kicks off on Friday from 4 to 8:15 p.m. and continues Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14. In case of bad weather, the tree lightings and parade will be held Nov. 30 from 6-9 p.m.