Lighting Up City Hall and All of Downtown

Did we not have ourselves a time around here on Saturday afternoon with the 30th Annual Norwich Winterfest Parade? It was really fantastic and a belated but very heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped The Rose of New England defend its title as Christmas City, first won eighty years ago. 

Habits can be so strong that I started to pull on my coat and gloves to walk down Broadway Saturday night for the lighting of City Hall because that's how we've always capped the Winterfest Parade for all the years I've lived here, but then I remembered we're starting a new tradition this year by having the Lighting of City Hall kick off the First Friday Downtown Norwich, December edition, the day after tomorrow. 

What a great idea (and I can say that because I certainly would never think of it) because hundreds and hundreds (and more) of us pour into every nook and cranny around City Hall for the carols, the singalongs and (of course) the countdown to and lighting of one of the most beautiful public buildings in all of New England (making it even more beautifuler?). And afterward, in years past, we all then just went home. But wait! 

From a "Light Up City Hall" Past

Now, when we're downtown Friday evening, we'll have a chance to sample and enjoy the ever-growing palette of attractions and "I-did-not-know-that" moments which the artists and merchants who call downtown home have to offer. First Friday is a handy label to write on your monthly calendar but the attractions and events are an ever-changing delight. 

Sponsored by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, it's really a collaboration among the galleries, theatres, businesses, and civic organizations allying with local artists to include painters, sculptors, actors, musicians, culinary experts, authors, and photographers to bring each of us a night they hope we'll long remember and strive to equal on any of the other nights of the month that isn't First Friday.

And speaking of authors and downtown, and combining both, tonight at 6:30, Otis Library is hosting Norwich's own John Manuel Andriote for a discussion on, and book-signing of, his latest work, "Stonewall Strong: Gay Men's Heroic Fight for Resilience, Good Health, and a Strong Community." It's an important book at an important time and I think, tonight is a fortuitous opportunity for those who are interested.

Returning now to City Hall, First Friday, and spaces and places that should be lighted as well as highlighted this Friday evening, would you be surprised to learn that if you spent just an hour in each of the attractions, you'd be downtown through Saturday afternoon? 

Different lighting, but the same City Hall

I'm not kidding the scale and scope of activities (okay, maybe a little) that include (alphabetically by height) Encore Justified, Gallery at the Wauregan Inc., Norwich Arts Center, The Art House of Norwich, Reliance Health, Inc., NAC Gallery, Bold As Love Artisan Guild, Central Baptist Church, Bully-Busters; Reliance Health Gallery, and ArtSpace Norwich. 

I know, you can get hungry and thirsty just reading the list; First Friday has something for that as well to include: Billy Wilson's Ageing Still, Harp & Dragon, Namoo, These Guys Brewing Co. LLC, La Stella Pizzeria, Epicure Brewing, Ice & Fire, Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant, and, in their new location on Water Street, Strange Brew.

So I'll look for you Friday night and maybe we can share a laugh at all those who complain that there's never anything to do in downtown Norwich. More for us; works for me.
-bill kenny