The Greenwich Board of Selectmen on Thursday approved a road closure request for the event.
GREENWICH, CT — While it is still two months away, Old Greenwich is preparing for its annual First Light celebration – a beloved tradition in town that features the best of the holiday season.
The Board of Selectmen on Thursday approved a road closure request for the event from Richard Fulton of the Old Greenwich Merchants Association.
First Light is held on the first Saturday of December. This year’s festivities will take place on Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The road closure will be in place on Sound Beach Avenue and parts of West End Avenue and Arcadia Road from 4 p.m., to allow time to set up, until 9 p.m., so crews can clean up and break down once the event concludes.
There will once again be antique fire trucks from the Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Company giving rides around the village to go along with music, entertainment, carolers and holiday cheer.
Old Greenwich Merchants will also donate a large Christmas tree to the Old Greenwich Fire House from Sam Bridge Nursery.
“This is something that’s very, very looked forward to in the Greenwich community,” First Selectman Fred Camillo said.
This was the first time the road closure request came before the Board of Selectmen this year. Usually, the board holds two “reads” of an agenda item before holding a vote.
But because the matter wasn’t complicated and takes place every year, the selectmen chose to approve the road closure right away.
“This is a beloved tradition in Old Greenwich,” said Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan. “This was part of the McGuigan tradition every December. When my boys were scouts they helped close the road and their troop helped clean up. We wouldn’t want to miss it.”
Money raised from the Art in the Park event helps to fund First Light.
Old Greenwich Merchants are working with the town again this year to hang holiday lights in mid-November on 24 of the trees on Sound Beach Avenue and Arcadia Road.
Fundraising efforts for the lights are ongoing now. Donations can be made here.