Town in the spirit: Dedham Square to be filled with song, shopping

By Edward B. Colby/Dedham Transcript

Posted Dec 03, 2009 @ 07:00 AM

DEDHAM —

The fifth annual Dedham Square Holiday Stroll this Friday night will again feature stores staying open late with holiday treats and special offers, roaming carolers from the First Church and Parish, and a return appearance in concert by “Santa JG” at Cafe Video Paradiso.

 

Friday’s stroll also has a more potent economic backdrop. This year, perhaps more than previous ones, “it’s really important for people to support small businesses,” says Amy Haelsen, executive director of Dedham Square Circle.

 

“The small businesses really are the lifeblood of any community, and a lot of them have been hit really hard by the economy,” she says. That in mind, the stroll is not only a celebration of the holidays, but it’s also an effort to draw as many people as possible to the Square to dine and shop “to keep the Square’s economy alive,” Haelsen says.

 

The stroll will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., and include another appearance by the Oldies 103 Street Team van, which will be playing holiday music and hold a drawing for a vacation for two to Hollywood, Florida. Another highlight: “We’re going to have a larger-than-life Frosty the Snowman who’s going to be making his way through the Square greeting strollers,” Haelsen says.

 

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