Friday, December 7, 2007
- Annual tree-lighting and sing along at 6:00 pm.
- Art Gallery, restaurant and shop opening receptions from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

More:
The Holiday Night Festival, co-sponsored by the Town of Chester, Chester Rotary Club and the Merchants of Chester, will begin at the Spruce tree between Main Street and Spring Street with the annual tree-lighting and sing along at 6:00 pm. Join our community as we gather to sing carols around the decorated Christmas Tree. Most Shops, Restaurants and Galleries in Chester will be open for the Special Event to showcase our unique wares, gifts, menus and art work from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

Evening highlights will include a sing-along led by local talent, the children's decorating of the tree, and special merchant events and gallery openings. The Chester Boy Scouts Troop 13 will line the streets with luminaries, while Saint Lucia Girls stroll around with goodies. The Garden Club will decorate municipal buildings and lampposts, adding to the holiday feeling we all enjoy. There will be plenty of demonstrations, exhibits, openings and of course, shopping.

And not to be forgotten, the newest pewter ornament will be on sale by the Chester Hose Company and local merchants throughout the season.

Free parking is available at the Water Street Visitor's Center and the Maple Street parking lots, both a short walk to the center. Limited on street parking is available as portions of Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic.

Please publicize this event. The arts are an important part of all of our lives. More information about Chester can be found at http:/ /www.visit-chester.com and http://www.chesterct.org

Below are detailed listings and descriptions of these and other events that will accompany the evening festivities:

CENTURY 21 Heritage Company One Main Street, (860) 526-1200
CENTURY 21 Heritage Company at One Main Street will be hosting the Saint Lucia Girls who will be strolling throughout the village on Friday night. Visit the CHESTER STUDENTS art display in our office from 5-8 PM on Friday night and join us for refreshments.

C&G -Unparalleled Apparel, Seasonal & Timeless
3 North Main Street 860.526.3284
Washable velvet dresses from London, stretch corduroy jackets, pants and skirts from Canada, Italian knits, Paris hats, funky boots and shoes from San Miguel, Mexico. Also silk shirts and cashmere sweaters for men. PLAY 2008, our artful and literate calendar in a time capsule, holiday wrapping paper, and as always, Cummings & Good note cards and art prints. Wednesday through Sunday 12 to 5, and Thursday evenings until 8. Open late on Chester Night. http://www.cummings-good.com

Hammered Edge llc Studio & Gallery
14 Main Street, Kathryne Wright Owner/Artist 860-526-1654
http://www.hammerededge.com
Welcome All to our new location in the heart of Chester Village. On Friday December 7th we invite you to join us for our holiday celebration from 5 to 9pm.Enjoy red wine and chocolate truffles while roaming through our exotic collection of new, vintage and antique jewelry, beads, buttons, seashells, world artifacts, shawls, scarves, hand made socks, baskets, music, crystals,and many more treasures for your holiday gift giving. Custom jewelry design is our specialty. FREE drawing for a $100 gift certificate. Spend $30 in cash any time between November 17 and December 31, 2007 and be entered into the drawing which will be held on January 1, 2008.Visit the Gallery for more information.We are accepting non-perishable food items and grocery gift cards for Chester people in need.

CERAMICA
36 Main Street, (800)-782-1238
CERAMICA invites all to enter our Holiday Giveaway Drawings---Each time you visit starting Friday, Nov. 23rd, and spend $50 or more, you're eligible for our drawing for an exciting CERAMICA treasure ! Drawings will be held the 4 Sundays in December before Christmas, and you do not have to be present to win...JOIN THE FUN !!!

eo art lab
69 main street, 860.526.4833
SUBSTANCE & CIRCUMSTANCE, opening reception and talk with Connecticut artist Janet Lage, Friday 6 - 9pm. Accompanying group show with works by Thaddeus Beal, Charlie Goodwin, Elizabeth Gourlay, Sarah Gustafson, Vaune Hatch, Janet Lage, Willie Little, Mitch Lyons, Pamela Marks, John Matt, Kelly Jean Ohl, Meg Brown Payson, and Thomas Stavovy. Find something out of the ordinary for everyone on your list. Gift certificates available. Exhibit runs through January 1st. Hours: Tue-Wed 10-6, Thu-Sat 10-9, Sun noon-6. www.eoartlab.com

Chester photographer Caryn B. Davis will exhibit recent photographs from her travels to Italy, Martha's Vineyard, Puerto Rico and Mexico at the Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio & Gallery at 1 Spring Street in Chester, CT as part of Chester's Annual Holiday Night Town Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling . For more information contact Caryn B. Davis at 860-526-5936, or via email at caryn@cbdphotography.com, or visit her website at www.cbdphotography.com.

Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio & Gallery, LLC
One Spring Street, (860)-526-2077
Holiday Exhibit of a selection of oil paintings of the artist's garden, the Connecticut River Valley and world travels by Leif Nilsson and pottery by Connecticut Ceramicists, Brother Kent Nelson and John Hull, Friday, December 7, 2007, with a reception from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. This show runs through February 16, 2008. Gallery hours: Weekends Noon - 6 pm. Other times by chance or appointment. Visit anytime on the internet at http://www.nilssonstudio.com

Mystic Sisters -Antiques and Artful Wares
4 Water Street (860) 526-8022
www.mysticsistersct.com
Come in and enjoy our delightful selection of antique and vintage furnishings along with one-of-a kind creations in various media by local artisans. You will find furniture, decorative accessories, artwork, jewelry and hand-made items displayed artfully to inspire your creativity. To celebrate the start of the holiday season please join us from 5-8 PM for a special showing of marine and coastal artwork by CT watercolorist Pat Kelbaugh. Refreshments will be served.

Dina Varano Gallery
27 Main Street 860.526.8866
Join us for a glass of cheer and celebrate with us this holiday season! The Chester event is a wonderful night to stroll the village with your family, meet friends and start your holiday shopping! We have some beautiful things for you, your loved ones, the little ones and for those who are hard to find the perfect gift for. We will be open every day: Monday - Saturday 10-5:30, Thursday and Friday evenings until 7, and Sun 11-5. Happy Holidays! Visit us anytime at www.dinavarano.com

Chester Gallery
Postcard Show continues with new works coming in regularly. Stop by Friday evening, December 7th. from 5 to 7 for a sip of Champagne and view art that can be taken home in your pocket. sossejack@aol.com

LifeSpace Studio and Gallery
14 Main Street, 860-526-8867
Celebrate the season and join us for a glass of cheer. We specialize in eco-friendly Architecture and Interior Design and our Gallery showcases recycled and collectible gifts, art and handcrafted birdhouses.

CL Pfeiffer Studio 72 Main Street (lower level) 860-526-2815
Celebrate the holiday season by sharing an evening reception with Connie Pfeiffer. Also featuring several local craft artists for this special one night event, including jeweler Linda Woscyzna from West Hartford and ceramic artist Pam Erickson from Ivoryton. Reception Friday, December 7 from 5-8 pm. Studio also open Saturdays 12-5 pm. clpfeifferstudio@aol.com

R. J. Vickers Herbery
26 Water Street, (860)-526-4061
We carry a large selection of live and artificial TOPIARY as well as a vast selection of holiday decoration and handmade decorator wreaths. Come in and see our interesting line of gifts, stocking stuffers and custom gift baskets [24 hour notice]. Open Tuesday thru Sunday 10am to 5pm for that special shopping experience. www.rjvickersherbery.com

Festival Diane 2007
November 28th - December 16th

Restaurant du Village
59 Main Street
Contact: Cynthia Keller restaurantduvillage@snet.net

Our festival honoring the goddess of the hunt, known as Diana, in Latin, meaning "divine" and Artemis in ancient Greek, with the name rooted in the words artemes healthy, artamos butcher, and arktos bear, and also occasionally referred to as Cynthia, from Mount Cynthos where she was born. She was an earth goddess associated with the moon, patroness of hunters, of the wilderness, wild animals, and of women and fertility. Depicted with her bow and arrows, the tools with which she roamed mountain forests hunting stags. We celebrate the harvest; from fields, vines, forest forays and the sea, with creations to nourish body and warm the spirit. Please join chefs Cynthia and Michel Keller in this culinary tribute to the season.

Salade d'Automne avec Faisan Fumé et Gougères à la Vigneronne
Autumn salad of Bosc pear, peppery watercress and cranberries with smoked pheasant and savory Roquefort pastry puffs with golden raisins and walnuts

Cocktail Alsacien Crément à la Poire Williams

Soupe de Ceps et Marrons
Boletus mushroom and chestnut soup garnished with toasted chestnuts

Georges de Bœuf, Morgon, Cru Beaujolais 2006

Choice of main course

Rôti de Sanglier à l’Ancienne
Roast wild boar with whole grain mustard and sage

Médaillons de Chevreuil Sautés aux Baies de Genièvre Flambés au Gin
Medallions of venison pan-seared with juniper berries and flambéed with London Gin

Sandre en Meurette avec la Poule des Bois
Northern lake walleye pike-perch braised in a hearty red wine sauce with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms

Château d’Or et de Gueules, la Bolida, Costières de Nîmes 2004

Entremets des Arbres
Hazelnut parfait with maple lace cookies and bittersweet chocolate sauce

Domaine de Coyeux Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2002

Four course tasting menu $75- Reservations recommended 860 526 5301