Boar’s Head Festival features singing and celebration

WINSTED — The First Church of Winsted held the 22nd annual Boar’s Head Festival on Saturday, Jan. 7, and Sunday, Jan. 8.The festival, which follows and recreates an ancient processional celebrating Epiphany, included performers in medieval costumes and playing period music.Organizer Debbie Storrs has participated since the event began 22 years ago.“This year was a special year for me because at one of the first festivals, my son Sean played a gift bearer to the king,” Storrs said. “This year his daughter Riley played the gift bearer, so the torch has been passed.”Storrs said that attendance was good at both days of the performance.“We thought we were going to take a hit because of the bad economy, but we didn’t,” Storrs said. “I had one person tell me that he’s gone to other Boar’s Head festivals in Springfield, Mass., and in Hartford, and ours was better. The ones in Springfield and Hartford had semi-professional actors, but ours is put on by volunteers. He said that because of that, our performance has more heart.”Performers this year included the Laurel City Singers, The Boar’s Head Brass Ensemble and Carolers, The Three Wise Men and the Bottom Line Brass tuba section.Proceeds from the festival benefit the Sharon Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Open Door Soup Kitchen.The scholarship fund is given to Gilbert School and Region 7 seniors who are pursuing music education.

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