It’s a Westport rite of summer: Artists and art patrons bake on the blacktop at the annual Fine Arts Festival. Book lovers swelter in the Jesup Green tent, at the library book sale.
It’s a satisfying — if sweaty — search for gems.
This year is different. The temperature is in the mid-70s. There is no humidity. Clouds are keeping crowds away from the beach.
Compo’s loss is downtown’s gain.

There’s more art — plus food and kids’ activities — on Gorham Island, adjacent to the Parker Harding lot.
The Downtown Merchants Association’s 41st annual Fine Arts Festival runs today — Saturday, July 19 — until 6 p.m., and tomorrow (Sunday, July 20) from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Parker Harding Plaza and Gorham Island. Across the Post Road, the Westport Library book sale is on today until 6 p.m. It continues tomorrow from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Everything is half-price on Monday. On Tuesday, July 22 (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) it’s all free (donations are accepted).