Vendor spaces available for Ansonia Harvest Festival

Vendor spaces are still available for the 11th annual Ansonia Harvest Festival Oct. 4. Rain date is Oct. 11.

The Cultural Commission sponsors the downtown fest. Vendor spaces on Main Street are $50 until Sept.15, $65 after that date.

The city is anticipating a large crowd for this popular event which features ethnic foods, entertainment on two stages, and a "Roaming Railroad" which will travel through Main Street. Rides are $3.

Irish step dancers from Mulkerin School of Irish Dance and Rita Tottenham dance students will perform. Both groups have participated in the festival since its inception. The popular Connecticut Line Dancers featuring Linda Johnston invite you to join in their line dancing routines.

All three groups will perform in front of stage two.

The Valley Community Foundation will sponsor a mobile history of Ansonia's yesteryear which will be displayed at the Cultural Commission booth near City Hall. 

Vendor space numbers will be assigned one week prior to the festival with instructions on how to enter Main Street to get to designated spaces.

Joey Milardo and the Musical Cavaliers are new to the festival this year. They will perform on upper Main Street from noon to 2 p.m. The public is invited to dance to their tunes right on Main Street.

Also new to the festival is Bob's Fault Band featuring Bill Davis from Ansonia. They will perform on Stage 1 along with Mark Lanzieri and his band, a local favorite.

Magician Brian Lizotte, a Valley resident, will be making balloon sculptures and performing fantastic tricks for young and old alike.

Patty Fadden Rimkunis will perform "The National Anthem" and Jim Little, vice chairman of the Cultural Commission, will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Other bands slated to perform are The Sofa Kings, featuring Bill Gibson of Ansonia, The Kate Miz Band and the Bantam Band, a group of strolling musicians.

Two groups, Vision and the Annointed Tabernacle Choir, will sing Christian music on stage one around 11:45. DJs for the event are Tony Castle and Phyllis Kaplan.

There will be a pumpkin coloring contest at Veterans Park next to City Hall. All school children are invited to color pumpkins from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. They will be assisted by Ansonia's Unified Arts teaching staff.
A scarecrow contest will be held among the merchants and vendors.

Both contests will be judged by Rich DiCarlo, President of the Valley Arts Council.

Amusement rides will be located in the River Valley Baptist Church parking lot and a car show, sponsored by Jay's Auto Body will take place along Bridge Street.

Trophies will be awarded.

A free "Moon Walk" activity for kids, donated by TEAM, Inc. of Derby, will be available on upper Main Street.

The Cultural Commission is proud to announce the Valley Community Foundation is a sponsor of the festival, along with the Regional Water Authority and the Smith Building Association.

Please visit www.cityof ansonia.com for updates, vendor applications, and more.

For info call Judy, 203-231-3603.

This is from a press release from Judy Nicolari, chairwoman, Ansonia Cultural Commission.

As Nicolari always says, "See You on Main Street."

Party along Riverwalk to mark Ansonia's 125th

Come out and celebrate Ansonia's birthday! 

Seeing pink, lots of it, at new Seymour Pink store

The nonprofit Seymour Pink, Inc. opened a store Saturday amid a sea of supporters and volunteers wearing shades of pink.

Resident Mary Deming founded Seymour Pink, A Community's Fight Against Breast Cancer, in 2009 to fund breast cancer research, raise awareness, and offer support to those who are diagnosed with the disease.

An angel graces one of the walls of the shop...

As do several enlarged color photographs of Seymour Pink supporters.

Deming said each cluster of photos features a breast cancer survivor.

The store sells caps, hoodies, T-shirts, pajama pants, mugs and more, all emblazoned with the Seymour Pink logo.

I wish Deming and her Board of Directors all the best as they continue to raise community awareness and fight the disease.

Down by the River fundraiser features fun, food at Shelton Riverwalk

SHELTON - The Riverwalk was the place to be Saturday as the fifth annual Down by the River festival raised funds for Moving with Hope, a non-profit organization that provides physical activity and support to individuals with disabilities and their families.

The event featured a chili contest, information booths, children's activities, and live entertainment. On Saturday morning the nonprofit sponsored Bike for Hope, a charity ride.

My husband Ralph and I went there to visit friends stationed at the Center for Disability Rights' info booth.

CDR is based in West Haven, and Shelton is part of its catchment area. Representatives were on hand to talk about the nonprofit's advocacy work for individuals with disabilities.

We didn't know ahead of time that the music lineup included The Bernadettes. While we were chatting, a friend said to us "that sounds like The Bernadettes," and sure enough, they were there.

Like many others we are big fans of the music and energy the New Haven-based band brings to any venue. And their performance in the oppressive humidity Saturday didn't disappoint.

We're looking forward to seeing them again soon.