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Light Up Thomaston Kicked Off the 2024 Holiday Season

The Goshen News - Staff Photo - Create Article
Ash’s Art Prints’ replica of Seth Thomaston Clock Factory in Light Up Thomaston parade / E. Warner
Lead Summary

On Saturday, November 30th, thousands of people ventured to the town of Thomaston to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the annual holiday event Light Up Thomaston (LUT) from 5:30-8 pm. This year’s LUT is the 28th incarnation of the event after two were canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. First established in 1995 according to the volunteer organization of the same name, LUT was initially created by local residents who sought to kick off the holiday season by decorating the entire downtown area in luminous Christmas lights. This year, however, the famous near 140-year-old Thomaston Opera House has no lights due to ongoing renovations that were supposed to have been completed three weeks before the event began, according to LUT Chairwoman, Karen Yanavich. Since then, LUT has expanded exponentially. Numerous activities including a Christmas parade with floats and other vehicles was a delight to many. These floats were hosted and decorated by various local companies and organizations. Once the parade was over, attendees were able to take part in a petting zoo, balloon animal-making, shopping for locally made holiday crafts, karaoke, hay bale rides, axe throwing, and more! Along the way on Thomaston’s Main Street, people enjoyed free warm hot chocolate and dined on free holiday-themed treats while being able to view chainsaw carvings, magic shows, and partake in fun photo opportunities using wooden cutouts of holiday trains, gingerbread men, and snowmen. Local businesses on Main Street took part in the celebration as well as part of the window decorating contest judged by Thomaston Rotary Club Citizen of the Year, Mary Beth Johnson and her grandchildren. Black Rock Tavern won first place while the Mona Lisa Ristorante won second and the Patties Place diner won third.

One of LUT’s most famous attractions is the Festival of Trees fundraiser. Each year, sponsors and local companies donate gift baskets and small decorated Christmas trees to be put in a raffle for attendees to win.  “We do the Festival of Trees every year,” said Yanavich. “It’s a big raffle. It's actually a big part of our fundraiser to be able to make this happen every year.” Each Christmas tree is decorated in fun unique ways; one was adorned with gift cards to local restaurants and another was decorated with Halloween-themed ornaments. One tree, sponsored by the Plume House Inn, featured the theme of “Book a Tea” and featured tea cups and book ornaments. Once the raffle concluded, winners were able to bring their trees and gift baskets home. All raffle purchases go directly towards funding the next LUT event to help ensure that all services are free.

Possibly the most popular attraction at LUT is getting to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus just before December begins. Every year, dozens of families line up near Thomaston’s central gazebo to get a chance to sit with Santa, tell him what they want for Christmas, and have their pictures taken. Due to this year’s extreme cold weather, the Claus family was protected by a large black tent donated by T Town Bounce Party Rentals. After people got their pictures taken with Santa, many families went to the gazebo to take their pictures with the fully decorated Christmas Tree donated by Spruce Hill Farm.  At the end of the night, most attendees gathered by a huge, warm bonfire maintained by the Thomaston Volunteer Fire Department.

For many, Light UP Thomaston is a celebratory holiday event that brings together all kinds of people from all over Litchfield County. “...I love that this event brings in not just residents from Thomaston but all over the place,” said 150th Anniversary Committee member Amanda Burch. “They come to see our cute little downtown and how we celebrate and how we kick off the holiday season!” Thomaston will be turning 150 years old in June, 2025.

 

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Image Description: The Plume House Inn’s Christmas Tree in LUT Festival of Trees/E. Warner

By
Eric Warner & Staff Writer