Press Releases
11/23/2015
Gov. Malloy Invites Public to Annual Holiday Open House at the Governor's Residence
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy and First Lady Cathy Malloy are inviting Connecticut residents to attend the annual holiday open house of the Governor's Residence, located at 990 Prospect Avenue in Hartford, which will be decorated for the season and open to the public for tours. This year's holiday open house will be held:
- Friday, December 4, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
"Cathy and I love holding this holiday open house each year because it gives us an opportunity to showcase not only our own family's personal collection of Christmas decorations, but also the seasonal agricultural decorations that have been generously donated by Connecticut growers and small businesses," Governor Malloy said. "We look forward to continuing this longstanding Connecticut tradition, and encourage everyone to visit and join us in the holiday spirit."
There is no admittance fee and tickets are not needed. However, donations will be accepted for Operation ELF, an annual initiative of the Connecticut Military Department that assists the families of soldiers and airmen who are deployed during the holidays and also provides a wide range of support to military families throughout the year. In addition to monetary donations, suggested donations include grocery store gift cards, gas gift cards, department store gift cards, and gift cards for home essential services, such as heating oil, maintenance services, and snow removal. These gifts are distributed by the Connecticut National Guard Service Member and Family Support Center and are used to assist military families throughout the year.
Tours will be aided by about 30 volunteer docents, some of whom have volunteered for over 20 years. The Residence, which is ADA accessible, will display six decorated Christmas trees, in addition to other holiday decorations. Santa will also be on hand for most of the weekend.
This is the 25th year that the holiday decorations, including wreaths, Christmas trees, and seasonal plants, have been donated to the Residence at no cost to the state. This year, those generous donations come from the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association, Joseph Geremia of Geremia Greenhouses in Wallingford, and Joseph Vaiuso of Vaiuso Farms in Branford. Also on display will be gingerbread houses donated by Taste by Spellbound in Avon, and Carol Murdock of Classic Cakes in West Hartford in conjunction with the Manchester Community College Icing Artist Team.
Live entertainment will be performed by the following:
Friday, December 4, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Plainfield High School Chamber Choir
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Harpist Olivia Fortunato
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Hartford High School Choral Ensemble
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Woodstock Academy Hill Singers
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Trinity College Trinitones
Saturday, December 5, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Immanuel Christian Academy Choir
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Hall High School Choraliers, West Hartford
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Opus 4 String Quartet, South Windsor
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Conard High School Solo Choir, West Hartford
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Three Seasons Trio
Sunday, December 6, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Manchester Symphony Orchestra Ensemble
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Newington High School Chamber Choir
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Vocaholix
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Trinity College Quirks
Information about the history of the Governor's Residence can be found on the Governor's website.
- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
- Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy