Annual Christmas Tours At Governor’s Mansion Next Weekend With Live Entertainment

In a tradition stretching back for decades, the governor’s mansion will be open again this year for the annual Christmas tours.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy and First Lady Cathy Malloy are opening the house at 990 Prospect Avenue in Hartford’s West End to the general public next weekend.

The event is made possible by donations from the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, Christmas Northeast Inc. that provides the lighting, the Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association, and the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association. This marks the 22nd year that Christmas trees, wreaths, and decorations have been donated to the state.

This year’s dates are:

Friday, December 7, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 8, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 9, 2012 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“The Governor’s Residence truly belongs to the public, and this is a great opportunity for Connecticut families to stop by and see the house decked out in festive decorations, many of which are from our own personal family collection and others that were generously donated by local organizations,” Malloy said in a statement.  “Cathy and I look forward to sharing in everyone’s holiday spirit and continuing this longstanding Connecticut tradition.”

About 30 volunteers will help coordinate the event, which often draws large crowds. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be greeting children at the residence. Visitors are being encouraged to arrive with a new, unwrapped toy for the well-known Toys for Tots program of the U.S. Marines.

The schedule of live entertainment, as released by the governor’s office, is as follows:

Friday, December 7
10:00 a.m. – U.S. Coast Guard Glee Club

Saturday, December 8
10:00 a.m. – Erin Vivero, flute quartet
11:00 a.m. – Bandstand, barbershop quartet
1:00 p.m. – Singer Catherine A. Quirk

Sunday, December 9
12:00 p.m. – Hall High School choir  from West Hartford
1:30 p.m. – Conard High School solo choir from West Hartford