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Date: 11/21/2023
EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow Lions Club has partnered with more than a dozen businesses and organizations to kick off the holiday season with the Holiday Kickoff Weekend.
Lions Club Treasurer Bob Adams said the goal was to create something similar to the First Night program that happens in Northampton.
In past years, the Lions Club has tried to celebrate the holidays in various ways. In addition to the Christmas tree lighting that has been taking place at the rotary for decades, the Lions experimented with a “poker crawl” in which restaurants gave out “poker cards” and people visited various establishments to try to make the best hand possible within a specified period.
This year, the Lions Club reached out to local businesses for help in creating the holiday kickoff weekend. Events will run from Friday, Dec. 1, to Sunday, Dec. 3, and are taking place at three churches, the Pleasant View Senior Center, the Norcross House, the East Longmeadow Historical Museum and eleven area businesses.
Some events are run by businesses outside of the Holiday Kickoff Weekend, such as the “Polar Express” train at the Depot at Graham Central Station and the Cookies and Milk with Santa at Pete’s Sweets.
Other events were organized specifically for the Holiday Kickoff Weekend. 4RUN3 agreed to run a Frosty Frolic 5K Race and 1 Mile Walk, Shaker Bowl is offering two-hour windows of unlimited bowling and the opportunity for children to decorate a bowling pin.
Friday evening consists of four events at the First Congregational Church, at the rotary. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., there will be “reindeer games” on the lawn of the church, followed by a lighted truck parade that will lead Santa to the church, the lighting of the Christmas tree and a meet-and-greet with Santa that includes hot chocolate and treats in the church.
Six restaurants are taking part in a holiday spirit social media contest. People who take photos in holiday outfits — pajamas to sweaters — at East Village Tavern, Fazio’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, Mario’s Café Ambiance, Center Square Grill, The Pizza Shoppe or Torito can post their photo as a comment on the East Longmeadow Lion’s Club Facebook page. Prizes are based on creativity and popularity, as well as a random factor. Adams said each photo posted on the Lions Club’s Facebook page is an opportunity to win.
Adams said the restaurants involved have always supported the Lions Club. “Every [business] has been very supportive. This is all work on their part,” he said.
While some events are free, others have a fee or are free with the donation of a canned good.
“We’re looking to make it as festive as possible,” Adams said.
For a full schedule of events, visit facebook.com/ellionsclub.