A Weekend of Holiday Cheer and Giving

Breakfast with Santa, Stuff-A-Cruiser, craft fairs, parades, tree lightings and more, that was just some of the fun to get you in the mood for the holiday season.

At the annual Breakfast with Santa in East Hampton on Saturday, as many as 1,250 free breakfasts were served. The annual event sponsored by the Rotary Club was its usual hit, offering face painting, songs and singing, Amber Alert identification cards and of course a chance for kids to let Santa know what they want for Christmas.

Much of the morning might not have been possible without the help from members of the East Hampton High School Interact Club, all of whom were impressive as always.

The Rotary Club also was accepting donations for the East Hampton Food Bank and signing up people as well for a blood drive to be held Dec. 14 at St. Patrick's Church.

Over at Stop & Shop, the local police union was hosting Stuff-A-Cruiser and half way through the event, the cruiser was just about that, stuffed. Toys, non-perishable food and more were donated and not just from shoppers making their way in or out of the grocery store. Some came by simply to drop off what they had already purchased.

The Lighted Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting was held Sunday in Portland. The parade began at town hall, continued onto Main Street and finished at Brownstone Intermediate School.

The Portland High School band and chorus were on hand to entertain the several hundred who were on hand with Christmas songs, and Santa also made a appearance.

The events, co-sponsored by the CT Cellar Savers and East Of The River Classics as well as Portland Parks and Recreation, concluded at Engine Co. 1 Firehouse where hot chocolate and cookies were served and where donations could be dropped off for the Portland Food Bank.

If you have photos of these or other holiday events held over the weekend, feel free to upload them and share. If you have information on upcoming events, please email michael.bartolotta@patch.com.