Boar's Head Festival in Winsted

First Church of Winsted presents its 11th annual Boar's Head Festival on Saturday, January 5 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and again on Sunday, January 6 at 4 p.m. This musical celebration of Epiphany (Three Kings) has been celebrated by the Christian Church since medieval times.

The performance celebrates not only Epiphany; it celebrates the arts through the talents of many local folks. Juggler Karl Saliter from Cornwall will be returning to participate in the pre-show that begins 50 minutes before each performance. The Junior Choirsters and Tyros of Chorus Angelicus will also perform under the direction of Elizabeth Allyn. These youngsters have a passionate love of music, and are in training for the performing arm of the choir. The Boar's Head Festival Choir and Brass, under the direction of Adam Atkins, choral director at The Gilbert School, will be accompanied by Joseph Butkevicius (organist at St. Joseph's Church) on the George Jardine organ, originally built in 1894. Besides playing the organ, Joe, also known as General Mayhem, also plays drums, pan flute, tin whistle and harpsichord. He and Roger Atkins (organist at the Church of Christ) both have contributed original musical compositions that are included in the festival.

John Forrest, the new "Lord Mayor" of Winsted, will represent Winchester. Organizers Debbie Storrs and Lorraine Tatar are also Winsted natives. The remaining cast members represent Winsted and many surrounding communities. The festival is a true ecumenical community effort, and annually donates $500 to the Open Door Soup Kitchen and makes a $500 musical scholarship available.

This year's celebration is dedicated to the memory of Sharon Lewis, who had participated in many roles during the festival's run, encouraging and enabling her young children to also participate. She is the late wife of Dave Lewis. Originally cast in the role of Caspar, one of the Three Kings, at the festival's inception in 1992, Dave has continued this tradition for the full run of the festival. Sharon was artfully minded, bubbly, enthusiastic, musical, and called home too early. We celebrate her many talents and mourn her passing, along with her family, husband Dave and their four sons, Rygel, Devin, Parker and Taylor.

First Church and the Boar's Head festival will be renaming the musical scholarship in memory of Sharon Lewis. This scholarship is available to high school seniors choosing to continue their education in the field of music, and is offered to students from both The Gilbert School and Regional School #7.

Limited seating is available, so order tickets early. Tickets may be purchased at a reduced rate of $12 adults, $10 seniors, $3 children for one day only—Saturday, December 1 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. during the New England Christmas Fair at the First Church, 95 Park Place in Winsted. Otherwise, tickets are $15 adults, $12 seniors, $5 children, and can be obtained by calling 860-379-8432.