Jackson Square's holiday stroll set for Saturday after hiatus caused by COVID-19

Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read
A Volkswagen bus is parked for winter near Jackson Square in Weymouth.
A Volkswagen bus is parked for winter near Jackson Square in Weymouth.

WEYMOUTH – Jackson Square in East Weymouth will kick off the holiday season with Santa, singing and shopping Saturday, Nov. 27, at its annual stroll and tree lighting.

The holiday stroll will take place from noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and will include Jackson Square restaurants, merchants and cultural organizations.

The Rev. Gretchen Elmendorf, of East Weymouth Congregational Church, said people are thrilled to have the stroll return after it was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is a strong desire for community right now, and I see that manifested in the way neighbors, merchants, restaurant owners and organization leaders show warmth and a desire to support each other,” she said.

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Elmendorf said many of the square's merchants are participating in the stroll and community groups are coming together to show support.

“There’s a lot of interest on social media and people are coming out of the woodwork to offer things for us,” she said.

North River Brass will perform and there will be caroling. Santa will stroll the Square from 2 to 3 p.m. and children can visit him at Santa’s workshop at East Weymouth Congregational Church, 1320 Commercial St., from 3 to 5 p.m.

The church will collect gifts for children ages 8 to 17 through Weymouth Youth and Family Services. The toys should be new and unwrapped. The agency usually provides gifts to about 325 families each year during the holiday season.

Broad Street businesses in Weymouth's Jackson Square.
Broad Street businesses in Weymouth's Jackson Square.

The evening will wrap up with a tree lighting at 5 p.m. on the lawn of the church. Elmendorf will offer a short “blessing of light” and there will be singing, balloon-making, painting and hot chocolate.

For details about what shops are offering during the stroll and more information about the event, visit the Jackson Square Community Facebook page.

East Weymouth Congregational Church will hold its Holiday Extravaganza Concert with the Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. The orchestra is the longest operating community orchestra in the country.

Tickets are required and can be reserved at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5308222. A $10 donation is suggested at the door and masks are required.

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Jessica Trufant can be reached at jtrufant@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Holiday stroll and tree lighting returns to Jackson Square in Weymouth