Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • Page 1185

I A neeaMMAr lot QntlirHftV MA SunffoV. DfiC. 7 SANTA ENTERS We at age! Santa uaus will ue on ikiiu a 5- Ti Locks and 8, 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. at England Air Museum Bradley International Airport, Wlnor Locks Complimentary elder and cookies will be served and there Is no charge for the event other than the normal museum admission price. Tobacco Valley Sponsors Its First 'Holidayfest' 'Holidayfest' Happenings Santa Claus Special: Elves will assist children boarding for a visit with Captain Claus in cockpit of former passenger plane aglow with Christmas lights ana nonaay decorations; Dec.

7 8, 10 a.m.-3:30 o.m. New England Air Mu seum, Bradley International Air port, Windsor Locks; Museum admission: $4.50 for adults, $2 children; Information: 623-3305 Wlnterfest Wonderland: Christmas lights sparkle In the woods as visitors ride heated vin- taofl trnllev visit from Santa: sift shop, hot chocolate available; Fri day, Dec. 6, p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 8, noon-9 p.m.

Warehouse Point Trolley Museum, 58 North Road, Warehouse Point; Information: 623-7417 For Holiday Shopping at its finest Visit The Gertrude Williamson Gallery at GREEN STEVENS For that person who seems to have everything or for the person who wants something new and excitingly different, The Gertrude Williamson Gallery offers a wide range of assorted gift items for the holidays. Located on our West Hartford store's lower level at 46 LaSalle Road, The Gertrude Williamson Gallery features many exclusive, charming, and unusual items! Antique Prints ImportedChina Fine Linens One-Of-Kind Lamps Handwoven Throws Fireplace Tools Imported Crystal Desk Set Accessories Fine I8th Century Reproduction Furniture Come explore The Gertrude Williamson Gallery at Green BC Stevens for all your holiday shopping. The Gertrude Williamson Gallery where today's fine gifts are tomorrow's antiques! Sleigh Bells Ring: Mom and Dad can photograph children with Santa in his sleieh on Satur day and enjoy Sunday afternoon music on site of Connecticut's est frame dwellings In Connecticut (circa 1640). Here, visitors can enjoy a collection of dolls and toys from times gone by. Refreshments will be provided, courtesy of the Windsor Historical Society.

Hours are 1-5 p.m each day. Another early colonial home, the Oliver Ellsworth House, 778 Pali-sado Windsor, (up the street from the Fyler House) will be open to the public Friday, Dec. 6, 1-5; Saturday, Dec. 7, 10-5 and Sunday, Dec. 8, 1-5.

The sweet, spicy aroma of hot cider will greet visitors who wish to tour the colonial Christmas charm of this mid-1700s homestead. The Alexander King House, 243 Main Suffield, will be festively decorated, with refreshments provided by the Suffield Historical Society, Its neighbor, the Halheway House, 55 South Main Suffield, is planning a Yuletide table display of desserts. Hours at the houses are 1-5 p.m. each day. In addition, as part of "Holidayfest," the Town of Suffield will present its annual tour of colonial, traditional and contemporary homes on Sunday, Dec.

8 from 2-5 p.m. The tour, sponsored by the Suffield Council for the Arts, will feature homes decorated in Victorian or Swedish holiday styles. Tour tickets ($8) will be available at any of the homes listed on the tour. (For a listing of homes on the tour, call the Suffield Council for the Arts, 668-1221.) Refreshments and caroling will take place at the Hatheway House after the tour, The Noden Reed Farm House and Barn at 58 West Windsor Locks, will feature Santa in his sleigh on Saturday and Sunday with special music on Sunday afternoon. The farm Is the site of CONTINUED ON FACING PAGE By MAURA SLATTERY Here in New England we sometimes take for granted the Currier and Ives landscapes and the sights and sounds of traditional holidays.

This year, residents of Connecticut will have an opportunity to savor some very distinctive holiday sights when the historic homes of the Tobacco Valley are opened and decorated for the first time at Christmas as part of the area's first "Holidayfest." Sponsored by the Tobacco Valley Convention and Visitors District, "Holidayfest" will take place Dec. 6, 7 and 8. In addition to the open houses, there are several special holiday celebrations. During the three-day fest, the New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks will offer children the chance to visit Santa in the cockpit of a former passenger plane, to be lit with Christmas lights and decorations. Santa will be available from 10a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8. The Warehouse Point Trolley Museum, another popular attraction in the Tobacco Valley, will have "Winter Wonderland," offering rides on a heated, vintage trolley through woods decorated with 6,000 sparkling lights. A gift shop, a visit from Santa and hot chocolate are available. Hours are Friday, Dec.

6, p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 8, noon-9 p.m. But for the true fan of the traditional New England Christmas, it is the opening of the Tobacco Valley's historic homes which may provido the real treat of the season. Fans of the earliest colonial period can visit tbe Fyler HouseWilson Museum, 96 sado Aye Windsor, prje uf the pldj first trimmed and illuminated Christmas tree; Friday, Dec. 6, 7-9 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Noden Reed Farm House and Barn, 58 West Windsor Locks; Information: 623-7153. Christmas Chimes: A limited display of antique fire engines and appartus with Santa in the driver's seat: Dlioto taking en couraged; Friday, Dec.

6, 1-5 LUX BON tmem p.m., Saturday and 7 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Connecticut Fire Museum, 58 North Road, Warehouse Point; Information: 6234732 Nutcracker Suite Ballet: Performed by the Connecticut Concert Ballet ComDanv and spon 'FINE JEWELERS SINCE 1698 sored by the Enfield Cultural Arts Commission; Saturday, Dec. 7, 3 and 7 p.m., Fermi High School, Closed Mondays Hartford 278-3050 West Hartford Center 521-3015 Connecticut Toll-Frce (800) 8424017 CONTINUED ON FACING PAGE.