The 36th edition of the Warren Holiday Festival, held on and around Main Street November 29 and 30, was nothing short of a resounding success. Over 1,000 patrons were on hand for Friday night's festivities, highlighted by the annual tree lighting and appearance by Santa Claus.

"We're very pleased," said Elwood Donnelly, festival committee director, the current incarnation of which has overseen the event for three years.

He continued, "This year, we lit up Stingy Alley, between Church and Baker Streets, with arches of lights, and it was amazing the amount of people who walked under them, some repeatedly, taking selfies and enjoying the festivities. We also added more street performers, including a bubble maker, LED hola hooper, stilt walker who juggles.

"On Saturday, besides the scavenger hunt, we offered our usual face painting, magic shows, balloon twisting and this year we added a children’s variety show and the New England Ringers, a highly professional Handbell Ensemble."

The grand prize winner of the scavenger hunt was Wesley DeFazio, who claims a pizza-a-month for a year from Federal Hill Pizza, 495 Main St.

Donnelly also offered up special thanks to the Warren Holiday Festival crew and volunteers, Warren Fire Department, Warren Department of Public Works and Warren Police Department for "helping to make this event come off without a hitch."

The 2024 Warren Holiday Festival committee included: Elwood Donnelly - Director; Julie Abbruzzi - Assistant Director, Volunteer Coordinator; Adam Tracy – Poster design; Uriah Donnelly – Website; David Tarantelli – Sound & Lights, Brochure Editor; Natalie Ciavarella – Secretary; Paul Rocha - Sound & Lights and Judith Sheehan – Social Media.

— East Bay Media Group and eastbayri.com contributing photographer Julie Furtado shot the accompanying gallery of photos.