Norwich — Dedicated Norwich Winter Festival organizer David Wigfield kept many of the details of the annual event in his head, so when Wigfield died unexpectedly last February, others were left scrambling to honor Wigfield's legacy and to keep the popular celebration alive.

Alderman and retired Greeneville businessman H. Tucker Braddock is now chairman of the festival committee, which is organizing the marquee event, the Winter Festival Parade, scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 26 starting at Chelsea Parade and winding through downtown Norwich. Prizes will be awarded for best decorated floats, including the David Wigfield Most Creative Float Award.

Recently retired Police Chief Louis Fusaro and his wife, Jane Fusaro, will serve as parade grand marshals and will ride in a silver Chevy convertible, loaned by Scranton Chevrolet in Norwich. The dealership is providing a second convertible for local veterans unable to march, Braddock said. Falvey's Motors in Norwich will loan a rag-top Jeep for the Norwich Free Academy Homecoming king and queen.

Winter Festival activities begin on Nov. 25, when City Hall employees will volunteer to organize the 25th anniversary Light Up City Hall celebration from 3 to 7 p.m. in the City Hall plaza.

The 25th anniversary event has some new features, including food trucks parked in the event area and two horse-drawn wagons providing downtown rides, reducing the long waiting lines that have been annual staples.

The popular band Malaena will kick off the festivities, playing from 3 to 4 p.m., and later will lead a Christmas sing-a-long to close out the festival. While waiting for the lighting, entertainment will include a puppet show by Donald Beebe, magic by Richard Rothstein, clowns and a stilts walker in the plaza.

Throughout the evening, volunteers will be handing out free raffle tickets to children in three age brackets for the chance to “flip the switch” to turn on the City Hall lights between 6 and 6:15 p.m. Winners will be chosen in the age 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 age groups, and all three will pull the large, green lever together, City Clerk Betsy Barrett said.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary event, the city clerk's office is selling two Christmas ornaments: a clear glass bell etched with “25th anniversary Light Up City Hall” and a shiny brass etching of City Hall for $15 each or two for $25. The ornaments also are for sale at Otis Library, the Rose City Senior Center and McKenna's and Forever Flowers florist shops and the Liberty Store.

The Winter Festival Parade will recognize the 25th anniversary of the Light Up City Hall ceremony with its parade theme “Silver Bells.” Floats will pass the viewing stand in Franklin Square, where three judges will mark their cards and determine the prizes.

Prior to the parade, Reliance Health will take to the downtown streets with its annual 5K road race at 11 a.m., preceded by a Kids' Fun Run at 10:30 a.m. To register for the road race or to volunteer, contact Reliance Health at www.RelianceHealthInc.org.

The festival and Light Up City Hall are not funded by the city. Braddock is seeking corporate sponsors, volunteers and in-kind donations for the festival. The festival lost its prime sponsor, WBMW, Braddock said.

Hall Communications, which runs four local radio stations including WICH-1310 AM and WCTY-97.7 in Norwich, has offered to assist with the sound system at the viewing stand, Braddock said.

To sponsor the festival or to reserve a spot to march or ride in the parade, contact Braddock at (860) 912-1336.

c.bessette@theday.com