*** HOLIDAY EVENTS ADVISORY ***


STEW LEONARD'S NORWALK STORE SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER WITH CHRISTMAS TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONIES

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA WELCOME

WHAT:
Stew Leonard's Norwalk store invites the community to celebrate the 2008 holiday season by attending its Christmas tree and Menorah lighting celebrations:

Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration: Thursday, December 4th at 5:30 P.M.
Stew Leonard's Norwalk store is kicking off the 2008 holiday season with its annual Christmas tree lighting celebration. Starting at 5:30pm, "snow" will be falling, the Long Hill Fire Department will have a decorated fire truck on hand for kids to climb aboard and local band Sawback will perform holiday songs to get the crowd into the spirit of the season. Leading up to the tree lighting countdown at 6:00 P.M., Santa and Mrs. Claus will mingle with the children and hand out candy canes. Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies will also be served.

This year's tree, a 35-foot Blue Spruce, was donated by the Valera family of Norwalk. The Valeras have been decorating the tree outside their home for 22 years and always thought it could one day stand in front of Stew Leonard's during the holiday season. The Valera family will be attending the ceremony and will receive special recognition for their contribution. Members of the Leonard family will be joining Santa and Mrs. Claus on stage to lead the countdown to the lighting. Mayor Moccia will also be on hand spreading holiday cheer.

Menorah Lighting Celebration: Sunday, December 21st at 5:00 P.M.
Stew Leonard's Norwalk store is celebrating the first night of Chanukah with a menorah lighting celebration. Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht of Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk will lead the celebration, starting with the lighting of an 18-foot menorah. The program will feature traditional and contemporary Chanukah songs accompanied by live music and dance. The traditional dreidels and chocolate gelt will be distributed to all. Complimentary Kosher refreshments and juice will be served.

Local dignitaries from Norwalk and Westport will be on hand to partake in Fairfield County's largest menorah lighting celebration. Stew Leonard's and Rabbi Hecht have hosted this annual Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony for the past 16 years.

WHO
Stew Leonard's is a family-owned and operated fresh food store with locations in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn. and Yonkers, N.Y. For more information, visit Stew Leonard’s website at www.stewleonards.com.

WHEN/WHERE
Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Thursday, December 4th

  • Music and refreshments begin at 5:30 P.M.
  • Tree lighting/photo opportunity takes place at 6:00 P.M.
Stew Leonard's Norwalk store, 100 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT (by Christmas tree)
(in front of Christmas tree located in the center of the parking lot next to the flagpole)

Menorah Lighting Celebration
Sunday, December 21st
  • Menorah lighting ceremony/photo opportunity begins at 5:00 P.M.
  • Refreshments, holiday singing and dancing to follow
Stew Leonard's Norwalk store, 100 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT (parking lot across Route 1)

CONTACT:
Rabbi Hecht, 203.866.0534 bethisraelct@gmail.com
Rachel Begun, 203.750.6141, rbegun@stewleonards.com