November 23, 2012

GOV. MALLOY INVITES PUBLIC TO ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy and First Lady Cathy Malloy are inviting Connecticut residents to attend the annual open house and tour of the Governor's Residence, located at 990 Prospect Avenue in Hartford, which will be decorated for the holiday season and open to the public.

This year's open house will be held:

"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," Governor Malloy said. "Cathy and I look forward to sharing in everyone's holiday spirit and continuing this longstanding Connecticut tradition."

There is no admittance fee and tickets are not needed. Additionally, the Governor's Residence is ADA accessible. Tours will be aided by about 30 volunteer docents, some of whom have volunteered for over 20 years. The Residence will display four decorated Christmas trees and feature appearances from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus greeting children throughout the weekend. Visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy, which will be collected by members of the United States Marines for the Toys for Tots program.

Live entertainment will be performed by the following:

Friday, December 7, 2012
10:00 a.m. - U.S. Coast Guard Glee Club

Saturday, December 8, 2012
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, 2012
12:00 p.m. - Hall High School Choir (West Hartford)
1:30 p.m. - Conard High School Solo Choir (West Hartford)

While at the open house, guests can also purchase the Governor's annual holiday ornament, which this year features the limestone lion's head fountain located on the south side of the property. It will be sold for $20 and all proceeds will benefit the Governor's Residence Conservancy, a nonprofit organization responsible for planning and supervising the preservation, restoration and maintenance of the Residence and its grounds.

This is the 22nd 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 & Landscape Association, the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association, the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, and Christmas Northeast, Inc.

Those with additional questions about the open house should email Carol.Oshea@ct.gov or call 860-524-7355. Information about the history of the Governor's Residence can be found on the Governor's website.

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For Immediate Release: November 23, 2012

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice

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