On Saturday afternoon a section of Minot Street and Ross Road filled up with hundreds of families, friends, and “fur babies” for Adams Village’s inaugural Holiday Stroll.

The Grinch’s heart definitely grew three sizes when he met Yellow Lab, Clyde, outside Fringe Clothing Boutique. Above Clyde is shown posing with his sister, Ryley McNeeley, and his new green friend. Cassidy McNeeley photo

With the roadway in front of Blasi’s Kitchen and Bar and Lynn Monahan’s Fringe Boutique closed to traffic, the Grinch had room to serve up cotton candy while Santa posed for pictures with neighborhood children.

Dot native Lauren Scherer-Geehan was one of the volunteers who, along with her 17-year-old daughter Addison and her friends, helped to turn the village into a holiday wonderland.

“I know Lynn,” she said, “and she asked if I would help plan it. I said yes. I’ve lived here for 40 years. I know a lot of the community members and I thought it would be really fun.”

A self-published children’s author, Scherer-Geehan added, “I think kindness is very important, especially at a young age but more so even now for adults. And I think events like this, it’s just all about being friendly neighbors.” 

Set up at a table next to the Grinch was Kate Langan-Kroon, owner and president of Connolly Kroon & Co. Insurance, who grew up in Dorchester and was happy to be a part of the festive event. 

“The agency has been serving the community for over 25 years but I’m the new owner, so I thought I’d get out here in the community and meet some people and let them know I’m here,” Langan-Kroon told The Reporter. “I grew up in the neighborhood, I’m so happy to be here and I think this is a great community.”

Though happy with Saturday’s turnout, she hopes the event will inspire even more people to return to Adams Village. That’s why she raffeled off gift cards to some of the local restaurants.

“There are so many locally owned small businesses. Just to come out and support them and get out in the community, I think that’s important. I bought five gift cards from each of the local restaurants as a part of the raffle so, again, bringing people back into the community.” 

The district’s restaurants were all busy on Saturday. While the kids had fun outside, the adults piled into the pubs to enjoy signature cocktails like Blasi’s candy cane martini and Landmark’s sugar cookie martini. 

Erin Lynch (left) enjoyed Blasi’s holiday cocktail, a candy cane martini, with restaurant owner Maria Blasi. Cassidy McNeeley photos

Chubbs chose to mark the occasion with its Adams Village Fiesta, a spiked hot cocoa with house-infused cinnamon reposado and winter-spiced simple syrup topped off with whipped cream, shaved dark chocolate, and red and green sprinkles. 

Meanwhile, Lucy’s offered several winter specials, including the Santa-gria, their take on a seasonal red sangria made with spring44 vodka, pinot Grigio, cranberry syrup, lemon, pineapple, rosemary simple syrup, and a lemon-lime soda float. 

In addition to festive drinks, many of the businesses opened their doors to pop-up vendors. At Scobies, customers could warm up with a boozy hot chocolate from the bar and handmade crocheted items from Annette’s Blanket Co. 

Other vendors, like Deifur Home and The Gifted Heart, set up shop in Boston X, the neighborhood’s very own medical spa that is owned by Nicole Flaherty.  

Despite the cold, Tessa and Lauren spent some time on Minot St with the Grinch.

“I thought the event was an absolute success and we already have new ideas and plans for next year,” said Flaherty who raffled off a Botox treatment. “I hope that this becomes a holiday tradition for families in the community - an event that can’t be missed!  We are so grateful that our little village shops & dines locally and will continue to do so throughout the year.”