November 23, 2005
Quincy's Downtown Holiday Stroll to be held December 10Strolling carolers, arts and cultural performances highlights of holiday event
QUINCY, MASS.--Strolling Victorian carolers, special free holiday presentations at historic sites, and sales and promotions at participating businesses are just a few of the highlights of Quincy's upcoming Downtown Holiday Stroll, to be held throughout Quincy Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday December 10.
With events and performances occurring at the Adams National Historical Park's Carriage House, the Dorothy Quincy Homestead, Quincy Historical Society and at several downtown businesses, the Holiday Stroll promises to be a fun and festive event for the entire family, said Jennifer Logue, executive director of Discover Quincy.
"We hope everyone will come out and get into the holiday spirit while taking advantage of the special sales and promotions to do their holiday shopping," said Logue, who noted that the National Park Service trolley would provide free shuttle service between the Visitor Center in Presidents Place and the event locations. "From presentations on colonial yuletide traditions and 18 th century shadow theater to holiday musical concerts and cookies and cocoa at participating businesses, there will be something for everyone to enjoy."
To help shoppers get in the spirit of the season, the Figgy Puddin' troupe of Victorian carolers will stroll up and down Hancock Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During those same hours, the Quincy Art Association will host a holiday open house at its headquarters at 26 High School Ave. In addition to holiday refreshments and artist demonstrations, the association will hold a holiday art sale featuring hand-painted porcelain holiday ornaments as well as original works of art priced under $100. A drawing will also be held for a free art class of the winner's choice.
Quilters' Compass (27B Cottage Ave.), meanwhile, invites shoppers and visitors to stop by from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for cider, cookies and to decorate their very own square to add to the "Quincy Quilt." All decorated squares will be sewn together to make a quilt representative of life in Quincy in 2005.
"This is a great way for both individuals and organizations, like churches or non-profits, to be represented on the Quincy Quilt while participating in a fun and creative project," Logue said.
Quilters' Compass will also offer a 20 percent discount to those who sign up for a quilting class during the Holiday Stroll.
Some of Quincy's best-known historic sites will be open for free theatrical and musical presentations during the Holiday Stroll. Free arts and cultural events occurring at historic sites that day include:
10 a.m.
Dorothy Quincy Homestead, 34 Butler Rd.
Yuletide Colonial Traditions: Actress Belinda West portrays Dorothy Quincy Hancock, who steps out of time and into the kitchen of her childhood home. Join her for stories by the hearth from Revolutionary America. The program continues with a brief concert by vocalist Sarah Bellott accompanied by her mother, Rebecca Dinsmore, on the Homestead's antique spinet.
*Due to space limitations, reservations are recommended. Call 617-657-0527 for reservations.
11 a.m.
Adams National Historical Park Carriage House, 135 Adams St.
The Hurdy-Gurdy Band presents "The World Turned Upside Down" - music and storytelling recount the Revolutionary War adventures of a minstrel and spy in the service of George Washington.
11:30 a.m.
Dorothy Quincy Homestead, 34 Butler Rd.
Yuletide Colonial Traditions (second performance): Actress Belinda West portrays Dorothy Quincy Hancock, who steps out of time and into the kitchen of her childhood home. Join her for stories by the hearth from Revolutionary America. The program continues with a brief concert by vocalist Sarah Bellott accompanied by her mother, Rebecca Dinsmore, on the Homestead's antique spinet.
*Due to space limitations, reservations are recommended. Call 617-657-0527 for reservations.
12:30 - 2 p.m.
Dorothy Quincy Homestead, 34 Butler Rd.
The Homestead will be open for walk-through tours of the first floor of this National Historic Landmark.
1 p.m.
Adams National Historical Park Carriage House, 135 Adams St.
18th Century Concert - The Hurdy-Gurdy Band performs graceful French Baroque melodies as well as both lively and haunting street ballads of London.
2:30 p.m.
Quincy Historical Society, 8 Adams St.
Holiday concert - The Londoner Trios by Franz Joseph Haydn as well as holiday favorites will be performed by a flute and string trio featuring Caroline Calabro Hughes (flute), Johann Soults (cello) and Yuan-Mei Xing (violin). Following the performance, refreshments will be served.
(From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Historical Society's new Quincy History Museum exhibit will be open for viewing at the regular $3 admission price.)
3 p.m.
Adams National Historical Park Carriage House, 135 Adams St.
The Adventures of Claude Duval - The Hurdy-Gurdy Band performs this 18th century shadow figure operatic farce in the tradition of the Beggar's Opera.
Special Shopping Discounts and Promotions
As part of the Holiday Stroll, numerous Quincy Center businesses will offer special events, discounts and promotions. Abigail's Crossing Gifts (1360 Hancock St.), for example, will offer free hand massages with Crabtree & Evelyn lotions and products by Sue Hare from New England Massage Therapy. Quincy firefighter Bill Arienti will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sign the first in his series of children's books centered around Faxon Park, while the store will also hold a Byers' Caroler Holiday Event featuring a special Event Caroler figurine. A Byers' representative will also be on site to do minor repairs and paint touch-ups to patrons' caroler figurines (up to three carolers per customer).
Gypsy Kitchen (1241 Hancock St.), meanwhile, will offer a complimentary wine, cheese and chocolate tasting event from 1 to 6 p.m., as well as free samples of other gourmet delights.
Other participating businesses include:
Adams National Historical Park Gift Shop (Visitor Center, Presidents Place):
10 percent off all merchandise, including a wide selection of Adams- and colonial-themed books, games, puzzles and other items perfect for holiday gift-giving
Aura Salon (1155 Hancock St.): 10 percent off your holiday haircut; Aura will also offer patrons pastry, cocoa and coffee
Bliss Salon & Spa (1604 Hancock St.): 10 percent off any walk-in service, plus a special Aveda promotion: buy two Aveda skin care products and get 15 percent off the third
Fajitas & 'Ritas (1237 Hancock St.): 15 percent off all food and non-alcoholic beverages with display of flyer or advertisement
Finian's (1657 Hancock St.): 10 percent discount on lunch
The Fudge Bar (1205 Hancock St.): Free fudge samples
Fuji 1546 Restaurant (1546 Hancock St.): 15 percent off food excluding alcohol from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hot chocolate will also be available
Stephen Leigh Jewelers (1415 Hancock St.): An additional 10 percent off existing prices; cider and cookies will also be available
Toodie's Fine Jewelry (1163 Hancock St.): 25 percent off any purchase, plus free on-site professional jewelry cleaning; free jar of jewelry cleaner (no purchase necessary). Assorted holiday treats will also be available
Organized by the Quincy ArtsAlive! initiative, the Downtown Holiday Stroll is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Organizations participating in Quincy ArtsAlive! include Discover Quincy, the Quincy Art Association, Adams National Historical Park, Quincy Historical Society, Quincy 2000 and the City of Quincy.
Fallon Ambulance is presenting sponsor of the Quincy ArtsAlive! event series. Event series benefactors include Daniel J. Flynn & Co. Real Estate and South Shore Savings Bank.
Holiday Stroll performance sponsors include Boston Financial Data Services and Congressman William Delahunt, who is sponsoring the Figgy Puddin' carolers.
For more information on the Downtown Holiday Stroll, call Discover Quincy at (617) 657-0527.
Media Contacts:
Discover Quincy: Jennifer Logue, 617-657-0527, jlogue@discoverquincy.com
