Not-To-Be Missed Soundview Summer Stroll This Sunday
Another great summer tradition (we hope) will begin in Westport on Sunday, the Soundview Summer Stroll which takes place July 28th on Soundview Drive at Compo Beach.
Sound view Drive will be closed to traffic from Compo’s Soundview parking lot to the jetty at the intersection of Compo Rd. South and Hillspoint Rd.
This wonderful family friendly event is presented by Dan Woog’s 06880 Blog and the Compo Beach Improvement Association, with an assist from Westport Parks & Rec Department and Westport PD. the fun kicks-off at 11:00AM and will run to 5:00PM. There will be live music from four bands and the usual kid-friendly activities such as face painting, crafts and a balloon artist.
The Compo Beach Playground Committee will be running the schedule. Planned events will include a tug of war on the each hour, with the Water Balloon Toss to follow 20 minutes later and next, an inflatable relay race. Food will be available menu favorites from Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
The event is free, but a beach emblem is required to park. This will be a great, must be-there event so be sure to stop by and get in on the fun.
Plein Air Painting With Flags Flying
Local artist John Forgione can frequently be seen around town at his easel with brush in hand, capturing the many wonderful scenes in Westport. On this day he took advantage of the flags of more than 100 nations which were flying on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge for last months jUNe Day celebration (WestportLocalPress jUNe Day).
John’s work has been displayed and sold through a variety of Connecticut art shows and galleries including the Fine Line Art Gallery, NEST Arts Factory, New Pond Farm, Rene Soto Gallery, Mark Twain Library, Metro Art Studios, and out of his home studio and gallery in Easton.
John told WestportLocal, “I've lived right next to Westport nearly my entire life (Weston and Easton), and I've always enjoyed the people, the history, and the amenities the town of Westport has to offer. The international flags being flown on the Saugatuck bridge are a high-energy visual, and I was naturally attracted to the scene ... doing my best to capture the day and express the positive energy with paint and brush.” John added, “My lifelong love of nature, and a strong influence of the French and American Impressionists drive my passion for “Plein Air” Painting. I truly enjoy the emotional and physical challenges of painting outdoors, working quickly and fervently to capture the effects of light, weather, form, architecture and nature in my work.”
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Food Drive This Saturday At Stop & Shop Westport To Benefit Homes With Hope’s New Food Pantry.
Homes With Hope pantry shelves need filling at our new pantry location at 1655 Post Road East, Westport.
The Westport Police Department, Stop & Shop, the Rotary Club Of Westport and Westport Sunrise Rotary will be hosting a Food Drive to achieve this goal. This important food drive will be held on Saturday, July 20th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Stop & Shop, 1790 Post Road East, Westport. Westport police officers and volunteers will accept non-perishable food items, and other necessities, as well as cash donations in front of Stop & Shop.
All donations will directly support Homes with Hope in order to offer support for residents dealing with food insecurity. The Gillespie Center provides food services to their resident clients, those at risk of homelessness and those in need in our community.
For more information about Homes with Hope please go to: Homes With Hope.org
We thank Stop and Shop and all of our continually generous donors for their support and look forward to seeing you all at Stop & Shop!
Westport-based Homes with Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Fairfield County. The agency provides emergency shelter for men and women, supportive housing for individuals and families, a community kitchen and food pantry, youth development and mentoring programs as tools to achieve and maintain an independent life.
We ask for your support and generosity to help make this food drive a success.
Fireworks Light Up The Sky At Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach
One of the many spectacular fireworks shows that took place earlier this month was at Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach. The show was the highlight of the July 4th celebration at the beach, which included live music by one of Fairfield county’s favorite bands, the Funky Dawgs who have played many times in Westport.
Fireworks continued the week of the 4th with Ridgefield holding their display on Sunday the 7th after threat of rain postponed their planned Saturday show. Rain also postponed the show at Darien High School set for Friday July 12th and will instead take place this Friday, July 14th.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Please click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Signs of patriotism and the celebration of our nation’s founding were everywhere. Norwalk PD marine unit kept boaters at a safe distance.
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and his first lady Lucia were on hand to enjoy the festivities and the beautiful fireworks show. Kids were having fun with bubble guns, while teens were enjoying the newly popular game of spike ball while others displayed their skill at Pepsi-Pong.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Please click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The brilliant shells were varied and many and were reflected in the waters of Long Island Sound.
Some folks went all out on their red, whit and blue. Teens took a moment from their game to show off for the camera. The day was a perfect opportunity for dads to dance with their kids and grandmothers to bond with their grandchildren. Not all who gathered for the event and show were born in the USA. One woman was fully prepared to dig a very large whole. We did not ask what the purpose was. Some may have been too young to fully understand the big party, but they enjoyed it nonetheless.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Please click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Always a crowd favorite, CT based Dawgs band. Their website states that they “are one of the premier touring acts on the live music scene today. It is impossible not to enjoy yourself during a show as they play a contagious upbeat mix of original music, hip hop, funk, and today’s top hits with a brass twist.” they have played nationally and have appeared with such notables as Tower Of Power, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Twiddle when they played Westport at the Levitt and more.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Please click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There was a sea of smiles as visitors enjoyed the beach, the music and each other as they awaited the start of the show.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Please click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
As darkness approached the excited crowd got their own little start on the show as street entertainers showed their skills.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Please click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
