21st Boar's Head Festival celebrates Epiphany

WINSTED — The First Church of Winsted held its 21st annual Boar’s Head Festival on Saturday, Jan. 8, and Sunday, Jan. 9, recreating an ancient processional celebrating the Epiphany.

“This is for people who want to sit back and reflect on what the real meaning of the Christmas season is,� organizer Debbie Storrs said. “This goes past all of the commercial hubub, presents and wrapping and gives the audience a chance to experience the holiday spirit live and in person.�

Performers were dressed in medieval fashion while they performed traditional holiday carols and period music.

The festival included the Laurel City Singers under the direction of Adam Atkins, organist Christopher King, The Boar’ Head Carolers, Irish dancers Diedre and Una Shea with Tia Mongitore, Scottish dancer Karen LaVallee-Tente and piper Ken Storrs.

“This is a great event and it makes you sit back and think about what Christmas is really all about,� the Rev. Mike Wu, pastor at First Church, said.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Sharon Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Open Door Soup Kitchen.

“When we started the festival, we used the proceeds to fix up an old 1894 Jardine Organ that the church purchased,� Storrs said. “Once that was accomplished, it freed us up to raise some funds for the scholarship fund and donate to the soup kitchen.�

Storrs said the scholarships are given to seniors at The Gilbert School and Northwestern Regional High School who are pursuing music education.