A VISIT TO CHRISTMASES PAST
Revisitng the magic of Rick & Joan Setti’s Spectacular Christmas Village which ran for 26 years nearby in Norwalk.
Each year for 26 years generations of families came to bask in the glow of the 150,000 lights of Rick & Joan Setti’s dazzling Christmas display which we hold dear in our memories.
We are re-running our story from last year about the magical Christmas House in Norwalk that was a must-see for so many in our area.
Merry Christmas from Westport Local Press!
For nearly three decades generations of people, young and old made their yearly pilgrimage to Norwalk each December to one the the greatest Christmas displays in Connecticut and actually one of the best in the country. That fact was established in 2014 when the nationally televised ABC show, “The Great Christmas Light Fight” airing for it’s second year awarded the Settis first place which came with a $50,000 prize.
Rick and Joan’s reaction was stunned amazement in a moment that is a must see, click here: The Great Christmas Light Fight
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There are no doubt hundreds and hundreds of Westporters with fond memories of one day being children and teens brought by their parents to years later being parents brining their own little ones to find amazement and joy at the sight. Alone approached the families home they could see they were on the right road as the glow of the lights was visible even before you got to the house.
The family and friends would begin in September assembling their display, which included 150,000 lights and over 700 hand-made characters to get ready for each year’s big reveal the day after Thanksgiving Day.
That is when the City made their Midwood Road in Norwalk’s West Rocks section a one way street to try to manage the hundreds of cars which would arrive at dusk to marvel at the brilliant spectacle the Settis created. They added to their display over the years as Rick would create characters from across the spectrum of children’s entertainment in his wood shop and wife Joan would lovingly hand paint each figure. There was everything from early Disney films such as Snow White to the Peanuts Gang. There were scores of snowmen, Surfs galore, their North Pole Village and the scenes from the birth of Jesus. There were numerous room vignettes which the children would clamor into and pose for photos. The demand for electric service was so great CL&P, now Eversource had to install a dedicated transformer to handle the demand.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The biggest day for the Settis was in fact Christmas Eve. This was when, at “their invitation” Santa and Mrs. Clause would take up their positions and hand out a candy cane to every child who came to sit on Santa’s lap to answer the age old question, “And what would you like for Christmas this year?”, no doubt hoping their Christmas wish would be granted the next morning. This would easily be a four hour process and they were able to tally the number of children who each received one candy cane which sometimes numbers more than 800 children.
The great gift of the first place finish was a poignant one for the Setti’s, who were then in their 70’s and would be making their last Christmas Miracle that year. They told everyone they would hold a tag sale after their season was over so that the beautiful pieces that had been a part of so many people’s lives would then become part of those family’s Christmas decorations.
To truly understand what this meant to the Setti’s and their family and friends, enjoy the finale episode of Christmas Light Fight where they were awarded first place, Click Here: The Great Christmas Light Fight
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
2025 Westport Holiday Stroll Better Than Ever!
Dan Woog’s annual 06880 Holiday Stroll, the 5th year for this much anticipated holiday event had something for everyone to help get into the holiday spirit. Headlining the entertainment was the Staples Orphenians sharing their beautiful voices in multiple locations, including next to the new, old looking clock which was recently installed and was inspired by the famous Grand Central Station clock in NYC. Adorable pigs with antlers took their place in the center of it all to the amusement of many of the more than estimated 1500 or more attendees helping make the night a big success.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Folks gathered around a pair of fire pits not just to get warm, but to make the tasty Smores that everyone loves.
The Elm & Main shopping plaza, formerly known as Brooks Corner was the site of several fun stops for visitors with activities galore. A long line formed at the Photo Booth which was housed in a small trailer. The Clubhouse, on Post Road East provided a chance for competitors to channel their inner UConn Husky and see how many baskets they could sink in a set period of time. A pair of booths including Dunkin Donuts helped folks warm up with hot chocolate.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Staples Orphenians drew a big crowd to Main St. near The Gap as they sang holiday favorites before they made other stops to entertain visitors.
Also at the plaza, excited children waited to give Santa their wish list for what they will find under the tree on Christmas morning. And of course, Yogi Bear, the Mayor Of Westport made sure he go in on the fun and grabbed another pic for his collection.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the most fun and entertaining stops on the stroll, courtesy of Riverside Realty was a chance to get up close and personal with a pair of adorable and very friendly (if you had popcorn handy) pigs. One brave group of girls had a chance to take a turn at “pig yoga” with the pig’s owner sprinkling popcorn all over the girls which the eager pigs wasted no time in scarfing down.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
West Elm was a great place to visit to see their beautifully decorated Christmas Trees. Ten week old Poppy became a little tired from all the excitement and snuggled up with Dad, Mike. She perked up quickly when Mom Leona came back and the family took a moment to celebrate Poppy’s first Christmas event with a quick photo by the tree.
Savy & Grace made it much easier for kids to get their wish list for presents to Santa with a direct mail connection to the North Pole.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Downtown Westport Sparkles For The Holidays
Church Street looks especially warm and inviting despite the chilly temperatures.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Main Street and Church Street are glowing more than usual with the holiday lights welcoming shoppers.
Saturday Westport will host Dan Woog’s 06880 Holiday Stroll once again this year, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
End Of An Era: Democrat Kevin Christie Elected First Selectman
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal swearing in Kevin Christie as First Selectman along with his wife Gina and their twin children, son Ethan and daughter Skye.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The election for Selectman this year saw Democrats Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich defeat Don O’Day and Andrea Moore, and Independent David Rosenwaks to become the first Democratic leadership team in Town Hall in twelve years. O’Day had been a lifelong Democrat prior to changing parties to run on the ticket with Republican Moore. As a result of his vote tally, O’Day is not the town’s Third Selectman.
Christie and Wistreich replace First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore whom barely defeated Democrat State Representative Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin in 2021 by less than 70 votes. Savin served as Second Selectwoman after that election. Tooker, who served as Second Selectwoman along with Republican First Selectman Jim Marpe since their 2017 victory, opted not to run for a second term as First Selectwoman instead choosing to attempt a run as CT Governor which never really materialized.
Above: Senator Blumenthal congratulates First Selectman Kevin Christie while his family enjoy the exciting moment, while wife Gina, son Ethan and daughter Skye look on. Christie then addressed the packed town hall auditorium describing his gratitude for the honor and laying out some of his vision for the leadership of the town of Westport.
Above: Following the oath of office by Christie and Wistreich, Town Clerk Jeffrey M. Dunkerton takes a selfie. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal speaks on behalf to the new team, then takes a selfie with Christie. At right, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, is photographed along with RTM district 9 member Addison Moore, Christie and Senator Bleumenthal.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.