WINTER WELCOME
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024 | 4:00 - 6:30 pm
Join the Mansfield Downtown Partnership in celebrating the start of the new season at our 12th Annual Winter Welcome!
We invite residents and friends of all ages to join in the free, frosty fun. Click on the + sign below each image below for more information.
Winter Welcome is free and open to everyone!
Click on each + below for more details.
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The Mansfield Downtown Partnership provides the trees - your friends and neighbors provide the creativity!
Check out the creative entries in our Trim-A-Tree contest on display on Betsy Paterson Square during Winter Welcome.
Vote for your favorite tree at the Partnership’s booth and receive a gift (while supplies last).
The top 3 vote-getters receive prizes and will be announced after the event.
2024 Trees:
Mansfield Resident State Trooper’s Office: Mansfield Super Trooper Tree
UConn KIDS: Cortex Christmas
Mansfield Fire & Emergency Services: Fire & Emergency
Saturday Social Group: Social Group is Coming to Town
Waldron’s Studio 88: Spruce Springsteen
Smart Connections: Let It Glow
E. O. Smith Science Club: Circuit-tree
MES PTO: MES Snowmen
Mansfield Academy of Dance: Name TBA
Eminence Ink Storrs: Name TBA
The Partnership purchases the trees from the annual sale by Storrs Regional FFA. After the event, participants are welcome to take their tree home or to donate it to a local family. The Town of Mansfield Human Services Department distributes the donated trees.
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Enjoy special performances throughout the event on the stage of Betsy Paterson Square:
4:00 PM: Strolling Tubas from UConn Marching Band
4:30 PM: Wintertime Story Time with Miss Emily from Mansfield Public Library
5:00 PM: Miss Kelly’s Productions/Mansfield Parkes & Recreation - Community “Nutcracker”
5:30 PM: Mansfield Academy of Dance
6:00 PM: UConn Tap Club
Indoors at the Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry at 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 6:00 PM:
Lights of the World by Puppet Bucket Productions, a beautiful shadow puppet show that celebrates holiday traditions around the globe
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Enjoy frosty fun around Betsy Paterson Square, courtesy of:
Mansfield Public Library: Puzzle Swap: Bring a puzzle you have completed, drop it off, and take home a new challenge!
Mansfield Human Services: Snowman game
CT State Museum of Natural History: Learn about animals in winter
Villari’s Martial Arts of Mansfield: Enjoy our seasonal display and learn about our dojo
UConn KIDS: Activity TBA
Miss Kelly’s Productions/Mansfield Park & Recreation’s Community Nutcracker: Activity TBA
UConn Woodsmen: Try your hand at one of our events & learn more about our sport
Mansfield Academy of Dance: Activity TBA
Waldron’s Studio 88: Create wintry crafts by upcycling old sheet music
Eastern Highlands Health District (EHHD): Receive your flu vaccine and a blood pressure reading
Mansfield Downtown Partnership: Vote for our favorite Trim-A-Tree entry & receive a gift (while supplies last)
And, be sure to pick up a sweet treat from Oh My Ganache, who will have baked goods available for purchase!
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Listen for the sound of tubas (yes, tubas!) and look for some jolly friends to arrive around 4:00 PM near Betsy Paterson Square!
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with friends indoors at Barnes & Noble UConn (1 Royce Circle, Suite 101) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM!
They will arrive on foot, escorted by members of the UConn Marching Band Tuba section!
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Help the Mansfield Resident State Troopers’ Office stuff their cruiser during Winter Welcome!
The Troopers will be stationed near Betsy Paterson Square to collect new, unwrapped gifts and toys. Suggested items include:
Gift cards for local businesses
Toys for all ages, including teens
Winter coats and snow suits
Stocking stuffers
All donated items will be distributed to Mansfield families in need.
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Stop by these participating businesses during Winter Welcome for a seasonal treat, special, or sale:
Action Packed: Free gift for customers (while supplies last)
Dog Lane Café (1 Dog Lane): Receive a free hot chocolate with any purchase
Nautical Bowls (34 Wilbur Cross Way): Enjoy 20% off bowls and smoothies from 3:00 PM until closing time
Playa Bowls (1 Dog Lane): Enjoy 20% off our winter specials from 4:00 PM until closing time
More to come!
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To accommodate Winter Welcome, several streets within Downtown Storrs will be closed from 1:00 PM to approx. 8:00 PM:
Dog Lane (from Storrs Road to the intersection with Royce Circle near Jefferson Fry Co.)
Royce Circle (from the intersection with Wilbur Cross Way to Dog Lane near Barnes & Noble)
Bolton Road Ext.
West Access Road (behind Huskies Restaurant & Bar)
There will be no on-street parking on these streets beginning in the morning.
FREE PARKING: The Downtown Storrs Parking Garage will be open and free for all users on Saturday.
Thank you to the Town of Mansfield and LAZ Parking for providing the complimentary garage parking!
Additional free parking is available in the Dog Lane Lot (2-hour limit) and on Storrs Road and Wilbur Cross Way (time-limited, please heed signs)
wEATHER
This event is rain, snow, or shine.
Some activities may be adjusted due to weather. Changes will be announced on this page.