Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Stew Leonard's Norwalk

Stew Leonard's Norwalk store is kicking off the 2012 holiday season with its annual Christmas tree lighting celebration on Tuesday, November 27. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., with plenty going on to get the crowd into the spirit of the season, including the Long Hill Fire Department's beautifully-decorated truck available for viewing while The Sawbuck Band provides entertainment. Santa and Mrs. Claus will spend the evening mingling with the children and handing out candy canes. Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies will be served.

This year's tree is a 40' blue spruce, which donated by Norwalk residents Abdou and Genevieve Bennani and their children Dreiss (age 5), Kenza (age 2), and Tarek (age 1). The Bennanis, who are life-long Fairfield County residents, purchased their home in Norwalk 7 years ago, and noted that the beautiful 40' blue spruce in the front yard was one of the reasons they bought the house. Unfortunately, on Monday, October 29 - at the height of Hurricane Sandy - the tree toppled. Rather than getting rid of the fallen tree, a neighbor suggested that the Bennanis offer the tree to Stew's as the store's Christmas tree.

Members of the Leonard family will join the Bennani family as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus on stage to lead the countdown to the lighting. Mayor Moccia, Norwalk Police Chief Thomas E. Kulhawik, Tad Lemire, host of the Star 99 Most Music Morning Show, and other local dignitaries will also be on hand to spread holiday cheer.