The Destination Stars Hollow Winter Carnival Committee held its first planning session of the season Tuesday evening, and if early reports are any indication, the 45th annual event promises to be the most ambitious in town history.
Chairwoman Sookie St. James unveiled plans for a “Winter Wonderland of Culinary Delights,” featuring an ice sculpture garden carved entirely by hand, a hot chocolate tasting trail winding through the historic district, and what she described as “a gingerbread gazebo that will make the actual gazebo jealous.”
New Attractions
Among the new attractions announced:
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Ice Sculpture Competition: Local artists and “enthusiastic amateurs” will compete for the coveted Golden Icicle trophy. Kirk Gleason has already submitted 14 proposed designs, including an ice replica of his own face.
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Midnight Sleigh Rides: Horse-drawn sleigh rides through the town square, weather permitting. Jackson Belleville has volunteered his draft horses and promises “zero pumpkin-related incidents this year.”
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The Cocoa Trail: Twelve tasting stations throughout town, each featuring a unique hot chocolate recipe from a local business. Luke’s Diner is already rumored to be preparing a “Bah Humbug Special” with a splash of espresso and “no tolerance for whipped cream frivolity.”
The carnival is scheduled for the second weekend of December. Taylor Doose, serving as logistics coordinator, has already begun drafting the parking regulations for the event — a document that currently runs 47 pages.
“Tradition is what makes this town great,” Taylor remarked at the meeting. “And if we all follow the clearly posted guidelines, nobody needs to get hurt.”