Rock the Valley 2022 in Ansonia was bittersweet for this writer

Singer/songwriter Riley Johnson entertains  at the start of the festival Saturday afternoon.

ANSONIA - Rock the Valley 2022 returned to Nolan Field Saturday after a two-year absence.

Ansonia Events Coordinator and Cultural Commission member Rich DiCarlo spoke this week about the festival. He said about 2,500 people strolled the venue featuring craft and food vendors and a kids' zone.

"This year we decided to return to the roots of Rock 'n Roll with a musical lineup to match," DiCarlo said. "We premiered our new larger stage which we named the Road Ready stage, after the event's sponsor.

"I'd like to thank Irene Krom-Kirby for taking the reins from our beloved Ralph Villers.

"They were really big shoes to fill but she persevered. I'd also like to extend my thanks to George and Pat and the rest of the Ansonia Cultural Commission and Mayor Dave Cassetti for making Rock the Valley happen.

DiCarlo and Krom-Kirby visit vendors

"We already started negotiating with next year's headliner and promise to have the best show set for next year. Details to be announced soon."

Rich is a good friend and he and my late husband Ralph were the main organizers of Rock the Valley in the past - with much help from city officials, Cultural Commission members and other volunteers.

As someone who observed first-hand the months of planning involved I can attest to how well Rich and Ralph complemented each other in working to make Rock the Valley a success!

Some sights from the day:

Kids enjoying the petting zoo.

Vendors galore.

Friends Laura Willoughby, creator of Gabriella Candles, LLC and her husband Alonza pose  with samples of their products.

Jen Durkin's Steal Your Funk band rocks the crowd Saturday night.

Congratulations to my friends in the Ansonia Cultural Commission for putting on another great Rock the Valley!

Derby Fire Department to hold Sept. 11 remembrance on the Green

Photo from Facebook event page

DERBY - The Derby Fire Department will hold its annual service in remembrance of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 on the Green.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Griffin, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley to hold child passenger safety clinic

A child passenger safety clinic will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 19 at Griffin Hospital Community Outreach by appointment only./ Contributed photo

DERBY - As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Griffin Health and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley will offer a free child passenger safety clinic Sept. 19 from 1-4 p.m. by appointment only.

The clinic will help parents, caregivers and children learn the importance of child car seats, how to properly install them and the appropriate positioning of a child in car seats or booster seats. Families in need may qualify for a free seat.

Child Passenger Safety Week raises awareness about the risks of improperly installed car seats and what seat a child should have according to their age, height and weight. 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, every 32 seconds, a child under the age of 13 in a passenger vehicle is involved in a crash. Many times, injuries and deaths can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts. 

For more information, visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat.

To make an appointment for the clinic or for more information, contact Cathi Kellett at ckellett@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.