As Bob Dylan Once Said, "The Times They Are A-Changin'".
Newtown held its 61st annual Labor Day Parade on Labor Day this year with one very noticeable difference. For the first time, before the first group of marchers left the staging area, town workers used heavy equipment to put concrete barriers in place on each road which led to the parade route. The heavy equipment stayed in place along with Newtown PD and Fire Department vehicles. The action was taken to insure the safety of marchers and spectators in light of recent vehicle attacks on parades and public events.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Newtown’s 61st Labor Day Parade Enjoyed By Thousands
Connecticut’s only Labor Day Parade was a big hit as always with thousands of viewers lining the parade route from the famous flagpole, down Rt. 25 and back to Church Hill Rd.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The annual event lasts nearly two and one half hours as floats, bands, town sports teams passed by eager onlookers. The 2nd Governors Horse Guard, based in Newtown proudly passed by the cheering crowd. The Horse guard is a state militia unit which technically a part of the U.S. Cavalry.
Grand Marshal Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown drove the route in a vintage Stanley Steamer an antique steam powered automobile
This being the unofficial start of the election campaign season, Connecticut’s politicians and political hopefuls made sure they were seen waving to the crowds. In a display of bi-partisanship, Governor Lamont took a moment to pose with Republican State Senator Tony Hwang whose district includes Newtown.
Above, right: One of the pilots who flys for the New Milford Police Department waves to the crowd below. NMPD Deputy Chief Wilcoxson responded to a request from Newtown PD for a flyover by New Milford's police helicopter, which they incorporated into a training session. The pilot was Mr. Tom O'Halloran who is ex-military and currently an airline pilot and instructor for the the NMPD Mr. O'Halloran is currently training an NMPD officer. That officer was also at the controls, co-pilot in training Lt. Earl Wheeler, patrol division commander. The large black object on the nose of the helicopter is a forward looking infrared sensor which can detect people or animals in total darkness.
The street in town were adorned with patriotic decorations and many of the homes were hosting Labor Day Parties to view the parade.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The local VFW made sure Old Glory waved proudly from their float, decorated with lots of red, white and blue.
A lovely young woman made sure to hand out American flags to those who reached out for one.
The children are always amazed by the sights and sounds of the marchers and bands. Above, right, Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, the parade Grand Marshal.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Local martial artist students shared the route with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Scorching Temperatures On Thursday Deterred Some Westport Farmer's Market Shoppers
Temperatures in the mid 90's with high humidity on Thursday kept traffic at the Westport Farmer's Market down from its usual robust numbers, but vendors were still selling their amazing produce, bread, food products, flowers and a variety of gourmet items.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Since 2006 when Paul Newman and Michel Nischan first floated the idea which resulted with the market opening their “doors“ in the parking lot of the Westport Country Playhouse, this highly acclaimed venture which started with only 14 vendors and and about 500 shoppers that opening day, has grown by leaps and bounds.
Paris (from Westport) carefully searches for the perfect bouquets of flowers from one of the flower vendors at Thursday’s Farmers Market
The Westport Farmer's Market is an institution cherished by the late Gordon Joseloff, who served two terms as Westport‘s First Selectman. In fact, Joseloff, along with his Second Selectman Shelly Kassen, were instrumental in moving the market to it's current home at 50 Imperial Ave. next to The Westport Women’s Club. Joseloff and Kassen in fact secured the property for the WFM and arranged to pave the lot on which the market now stands along with ample parking alongside the vendor booths and overflow parking available in the lower lot.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Seacoast Mushrooms brings beautiful and hard-to-find mushrooms from their farm in Mystic.
According to Executive Director Lori L. Cochchran-Dougall, "Gordon and Shelly Kassen were instrumental in the success of WFM. They secured the Imperial Lot for the market by paving the lot for the market, helping WFM become a 501c-3, finding me to run the market and assisting in identifying the address of 50 imperial Ave as WFM's physical address. These actions are what helped make WFM an institution in Westport."
Photographs of the Market were a staple of Gordon‘s ubiquitous online publication, “WestportNow.com“ which he founded and ran for many years until his passing in 2020.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the other reasons for the growth and success of the market can be attributed to an exceptional array of fresh farm produce and unique gourmet items which bring visitors returning every week. The market satisfies Westport’s increasing demand for high quality, fresh, healthy food which finds its way to our tables each week.
Adding to all that, Cochchran-Dougall said, is that they maintain "the strictest guidelines in the state." She told WestportLocalPress, "We are producer only. Not a craft market. All prepared foods must have one locally farmed and approved item in them. The market is blooming with 45 vendors! Food trucks, GMO free vendors, organic farmers, pizza, yoga, chef demos, tamales, and an eager, hungry lunch crowd. We now welcome thousands of eager shoppers every week."
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The WFM summer season runs from May through November. The Winter Market then opens at Gilbertie's Herbs and Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane, Westport, just off Riverside Ave.
Find out for yourself all that the WFM vendors have to offer. The full list of vendors with links for more info can be found here:
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Artist Collective Of Westport Pop-Up Exhibit To Run Through Sunday
After a huge opening reception on Wednesday evening with Chris Coogan at the piano, The Artists Collective of Westport’s latest Popup art exhibit will be open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6pm in the barn at the Westport Playhouse.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Artists talks are from 5 to 6pm on Sunday, which are free and open to the public. The 14 participating artists who work in a variety of creative media are Ann Brecher-Bogart, Janine Brown, Randijane Davis, Susan Fehlinger, Susanne Keany, Emily Laux, Mary Jo McGonagle, Toby Michaels, Jay Petrow, Diane Pollack, Kim Porio, Mark Schiff, Kris Toohey and Cynthia Whalen.
Their work and the work of all 150 Collective members can be seen at www.ArtistsCollectiveofWestport.org
