Westport's First “National Night Out” Draws Hundreds
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On Tuesday, August 4, 2026 Westport hosted its first National Night Out in the Taylor parking lot alongside Jesup Green in downtown Westport. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and Westport this year joined more than a dozen other CT Police Departments, many of which have participated in the past. National Night Out 2026 saw participation from approximately 17,000 communities across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and military bases worldwide. While an exact individual count of separate municipal police departments is not centrally tallied, thousands of local law enforcement agencies join the annual campaign.
Planet Pizza's food truck was there and partner Marc Tomasulo, pictured above, gave out 150 pizzas to hungry attendees. Sunny Deas Ice Cream on Riverside Avenue gave out nearly 400 ice cream treats.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign held on the first Tuesday of August that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Established in 1984 by Matt Peskin in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and is celebrated by communities across the United States. What began with neighbors turning on their porch lights and gathering outside their homes has grown into a nationwide event focused on making neighborhoods safer, stronger, and more connected.
Westport's inaugural National Night Out offered an evening of fun, education, and entertainment for the entire family. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet members of the Westport Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS while learning about crime prevention, fire safety, and first aid.
There were great local Westport bands entertaining the guests including Cecilia’s Garden, picture above, and The Splits.
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One of the big hits of the day was the Dunk-A-Cop booth. Here one of the kids takes careful aim to try to hit the red bull-eye causing the platform to collapse, dropping the Cop into the “pool”.
Going, Going, GONE!
Above, Corporal Bergamo challenges kids to hit the red bulls-eye and give him a good soaking in the Planet Bounce Dunk Tank.
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After getting a little water logged with the repeated successful attempts by kids eager to “dunk-a-cop”, Corporal Bergamo was given a chance to dry off a bit and it was then Officer Ned Batlin’s turn to make a splash, which he truly did, and more than a few times!
Above, clockwise: Westport PD Chief Dave Farrell opted for a drive demonstration of skill (rank has its privileges as they say) taking on all comers in a foul shot shooting contest. Farrell displayed some real skill, sinking bucks after bucket in the competition with visitors.
Officer Zach Lopez was proudly holding his little girl, Detective Ashley Delvecchio greeted guests, animal Control Officer Joe Saponare joined volunteers from partner organization Westport Animal Shelter Advocates with one of the dogs who are available for adoption.
Patrol Shift Commander Sereneti Dobson, member of the Westport Patrolman's Benevolent Organization was on hand to speak with visitors at the Italian American Police Society booth.
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Westport Freemasons had a table and chatted with Night Out guests. Pictured above are Bruce Duff, Niko Hatsiandrou, Tom Fagan, Rich Soares, Jon Achar, Nick Tarzia, Westport PD Captain Eric Woods.
The event featured activities and demonstrations for all ages, including an Impaired driving course, K-9 demonstrations, Police drone demonstrations, Fire Department smoke trailer, and Crash simulator and a variety of games for the kids.
As with almost any event in Westport, there was at least one gorgeous dog, in this case a striking red and white Malamute, five-year old Rowan who was all to eager to demonstrate his ability to snag a treat and was a big hit getting lots of love from the attendees.
Above, Detective Sean Doyle taking the fingerprints to provide free child identification kits to Moms and Dads to help insure their children’s safety.
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Hopalong Andrew Says "Howdy Pardners" At The Levitt Pavilion Children's Show
On Wednesday July 29th Westport families enjoyed a real treat when New York City’s famous singing cowboy Hopalong Andrew returned once again to the Levitt Pavilion with his five-piece band.
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Singing clever and whimsical cowboy songs about city life performed in the great tradition of the American West, Hopalong Andrew pays homage to the singing cowboys and folk singers of yesteryear. It is high-spirited music meant for the all ages to enjoy, and enjoy they did, on a summer night which got off to a rough start with rain which fortunately ended just as Hopalong Andrew took the stage.
Andrew punctuated his performance with hijinks that delighted his young audience. He showed off his ropin' skills at one point lassoing a plush taxi cab perched on a stand. He loves to interact with his audience going into the crowd to sing and show off his cowboying skills.
More about Andrew:
Hopalong Andrew is a folk and western music artist from New York City who performs original and traditional songs, and often tapped by presenters for his “family music” appeal. His recordings include his multi-award-winning debut album “Howdy Do!” (2018) which celebrates city life and it’s inspirational “Can-Do Spirit.” His long-awaited follow-up release, “Everybody’s Invited to the Party,” is coming soon.
Everybody’s Invited to the Party is a richly produced, Americana-inspired album that brings the incredible-but-true multicultural heritage of the American West to life through the voice of the cowboy. Blending storytelling, humor, and history, the songs invite listeners of all ages into a shared musical experience—one that feels equally at home in the living room, the car, or out on the dusty trail.
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He often invites members of the audience to join him on stage to enhance their show experience. Here, the kids were invited to do their “buffalo dance”.
The new album features members of Bob Dylan’s band, Lake Street Dive, Bonny Light Horseman, and JRAD—along with a remarkable group of collaborators, including 19 GRAMMY winners and nominees—the album showcases a wide-ranging musical palette, from cinematic Western arrangements to folk, funk, Latin, and roots-inspired grooves. The album recognizes the cowboy as a co-created cultural icon—shaped and shared by the many voices and traditions within the interwoven tapestry of peoples that have comprised the American West. It celebrates this common heritage and the enduring “can-do spirit” that continues to bring people together across time and place.
Hopalong Andrew performs large concerts with a full band for major events and renowned national venues such as Wolf Trap National Park (VA), Levitt Pavilion (CT), State Theatre (NJ), Lancaster Fair (NH), New York Public Library, Central Park, Bryant Park, Oldtone Music Festival, Brooklyn Folk Festival, and many more. He also performs very a popular weekday morning concert series — as a one-man band in his hometown of New York City as chronicled in the May 2023 New York Magazine feature: “Hopalong Andrew Is the Hardest Working Cowboy Musician in Brooklyn”.
To find other performances and to stream his award-winning music online visit HopalongAndrew.
Addios Until Next Time!
Soundview Stroll Another Big Hit Of Summer In Westport
Soundview Drive, a very happy place on any day was even happier last Sunday, July 26, 2026 when the 3rd annual Soundview Stroll turned one of Westport’s favorite places to walk, jog or cycle into a pedestrian only street fair. There was great food and great music as well as many activities for kids to enjoy on a beautiful summer day.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There were four bands including the Drew Angus band (above), and Westport Pride was out in force with Harris & Liz Falk and Sal Liccione manning the booth promoting the many events the organization sponsors. One of Romanacci's pizza artisans was busy trying to keep up with the high demand as more than two thousand Westporters and neighbors came to enjoy the event.
The event began in 2024 by 06880 and Dan Woog who joined with the Compo Beach Improvement Association, the Hirani family and Westport Parks & Recreation Department as a way for folks in town to gather, chat and enjoy a fun-filled street fair alongside the backdrop of one of the towns favorite most beautiful vistas, Compo Beach. This 3rd year was more popular than ever.
There were multiple booths from more than a dozen various organizations from the Westport Weston YMCA, Pink Aid, the group bringing awareness about the fight against breast cancer and the Westport Rotary promoting their upcoming signature event, Lobsterfest.
Katherine Murray representing Westport-based nonprofit organization Homes With Hope was joined by volunteers to inform visitors about their mission to prevent and end homelessness in Fairfield County. With the election a few months away, The League Of Women voters was on hand to help with all things election related and the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association was promoting their annual WalkTo End Alzheimer's at Sherwood Island State Park in October.
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Westport Cub Scouts invited visitors to indicate on their map the answer to the question, “What Do You Love About Westport?” showing some of their favorite spots in town. This was a favorite stop for the kids who loved interactivity “in real life” as opposed to on-screen options.
The Drew Angus Band pictured above and below, a well-know group started by a Staples grad Drew Angus performed along with Ethan Walmark, Owen Daniel, and Westport's mostly physician band DNR.
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The warm, sunny day made for a great stop at Oggi Gelato, an international brand founded by master gelato maker Carmelo Chiaramida who partnered with Romanacci founders Maurizio and Graziano Ricci who own the U.S. operations and opened the first store in Norwalk next to one of the brothers’ restaurant.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli by Romanacci staff was kept quite busy serving hungry visitors who often followed the brother’s delicious pizza offering with their mouth watering gelato.
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It is hard to find an event in town where you don’t see great dogs and beautiful women including this proud Yorkie owner and two ladies of the Westport Women’s Club.
There were many activities for kids this fine day and one of the most popular was a chance to demonstrate their skill at throwing small “water balloons”
First, they loaded up from the white bucket of water and then it was time to give their throwing arms a workout.
As always, face painting was one of the stops for kids as were various arts and crafts stations.
Some Soundview Strollers brought their beach chairs to get comfortable and listen to the music. Others found a seat on the wall along Soundview Drive.
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(top row) The Special Education Network, the parent and community advocacy group which is trying to bring attention to the needs of special education students in Westport schools provided info on their mission as did Earthplace, one of our town’s true gems, and also present was Sustainable Westport and the Westport Swim Club.
Quack! Quack! It Was A GREAT Duck Race!
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Each year the Westport Sunrise Rotary holds an event to raise much needed funds for a great many charitable and non profit organizations know as The Great Duck Race. Each year the Sunrise Rotary's small army of dedicated volunteers works tirelessly to bring this cherished Westport tradition to life once again to Jesup Green alongside the Saugatuck river.
Above, volunteers take a minute for a quick snap and First Selectman Kevin Christie is joined by Sunrise Rotarian Charlie Haberstroh, a former town official who has helped run the event for several years. Among the onlookers were long-time sponsor Roger Leifer and wife Beryl.
There was a brief, light shower which brought out a sea of umbrellas but did nothing to dampen the spirits of Duck Race fans, especially those who are hoping for a share of the $10,000. prize money for the first 10 little ducks to cross the “finish line”.
The big moment draws near as the front loader filled with more than 3,000 rubber duckies is ready to head to the starting line.
This year, thanks to the generosity of Westport and area families, The 17th Annual Great Duck Race was able to generate more than $100,000 in proceeds selling 3,262 ducks, eclipsing last year where 3,233 tickets were sold. Each ticket entitles the purchaser to their little rubber duck which races down the flume toward the finish line in a thrilling competition to see which ones will grab some of the $10,000 in prize money.
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Charlie announces to the audience that they are ready to go, and the ducks are brought to the starting line and slowly dumped into to sluice where the “dam” is lifted launching the thousands toward the finish line.
First Selectman Kevin Christie provides the “play-by-play” as the duckies jockey for the lead as they head to the finish line.
All eyes are on the ducks as they approach the point where, one-by-one the numbered ducks will squeeze through the “funnel” and be plucked by a volunteer and lucky ducks will earn the winners their prize money.
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Everything was gong according to plan until it wasn't! Two or three of the lead ducks all tried to squeeze through the "funnel" at the same time, causing a jam which caused the race to screech to a halt until quick thinking volunteers decided to grab a stake and stir the "pond" a bit until the strongest finisher fought its way through the "funnel", and the selection of the winners continued after a brief delay until all ten were finally chosen and the race was concluded.
This year's big winner was Lindley Maglio whose duck finished first grabbing the $5,000 first prize. Jeb Epstein took the second prize of $1,000. The 3rd through 10th place finishers were awarded $500 and included Ann Wortman, Terry Eldh, David Press, Gary Munowitz, Rober Mullany, Ginger Propper, Lindsay Wheeler and Stacey Goodwin.
Always a highlight for younger race fans when the race concludes is the opportunity for them to jump into the flume and help the volunteers gather up the thousands of ducks and splash around, cooling off from the warm temperature of the day.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the Sunrise Rotary volunteers was inspired by the music and enthusiastically his dance moves.
With the results in it was time for the volunteers break down all things Duck Race as visitors took a last look at some of the offerings. The last task was deflating ”Sunny” the iconic Duck Race symbol and packing up to await next year’s event.
