by Brian Keaney

Several hundred shoppers, families, and visitors descended on Dedham Square December 5th for the 4th annual Holiday Stroll.  The event, which included more than 20 merchants, featured free hot cocoa and candy canes, specials and sales on items throughout the Square, and even a singing Santa Claus.

The Oldies 103 Street Team also up shop on Eastern Ave to hand out free promotional items and to play the Christmas carols the station has been running since early October.  They also ran a contest in which strollers had to guess the number of walnuts in a jar.  The winner would receive a pair of tickets to Boston Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker.

The Dedham Square Circle, which sponsored the event, sold t-shirts and buttons commemorating the unveiling of the new Dedham Community Theatre marquee.  Executive Director Amy Haelsen said the night was a success.

This is doing exactly what we hoped it would," she said, "and that is to bring people to Dedham Square to spend their money locally."  She noted that 60 cents of every dollar spent at a locally owned business stays within the community, compared to only 30 cents of a dollar spent at a chain store.

The most popular event of the night seemed to be a sing along with Santa Claus at Cafe Video Paradiso.  Dozens of children sat on the floor and sang their favorite Christmas songs with the jolly old elf.  After Santa was all sung out he sat in front of the cafe's fireplace and took photos with his fans.

At Nina's Imports on High Street 10% of every sale was donated to the Dedham Food Pantry, which held a telethon on Dedham Public Television the same night.  The Heart of the Square art gallery also held their grand opening last night, and next door the Dedham Community Theatre offered discounts on VIP Value Books.

Coldwell Banker showed classic holiday films on a large television screen in their window, and Cheeky Diva offered 100% of the proceeds from the sale of select items to the charity Rockin and Ridin for Autism.

Square Circle President Peter Reynolds said the event went "fantastically well.  Each year it gets bigger and more creative."  He also said the highlight of the evening was meeting Santa. 

"Considering how busy he is this time of year it is amazing he found time to come to Dedham," Reynolds said.  "It must mean we are doing something right."