What’s new on Main Street?
Hundreds of pumpkins, pounds and pounds of apples, and bushels of art supplies.
It’s all part of Sunday’s “Pumpkinfest” (October 25, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Thanks to he Westport Downtown Merchants Association, Parks & Recreation Department and Westport PAL, hundreds of (costumed) families will have a chance to decorate pumpkins, take selfies in front of hand-painted backdrops (created by the Artists Collective of Westport, MoCA Westport and One River), and take home delicious (well, Cortland orchard) apples, courtesy of Camp Playland.
Pre-registration was required — and space was quickly filled. Earth Animal stepped up to underwrite an extra session, for 30 more families.
Families that want to gamble can stop by, in case there are last-minute openings.
The event is also the inauguration of a new program: Downtown Dollars. Gift cards for local stores will be awarded to families with the most creative pumpkins.
For more information, click here.
First, March Madness fell victim to COVID. Then the major sports leagues. High school spring sports were canceled — and so was 11-man football this fall.
Now comes news that one of the best sporting events on the planet — Westport Parks & Rec youth basketball — will not be played this winter either.
The department is following recommendations of the state Department of Public Health. They categorize indoor basketball as “moderate risk,” and suggest no team play.
In addition, Parks & Rec does not have access to the school facilities used for the program, director Jen Fava says.
She adds:
We understand this may be disappointing for some, but we must put the health and safety of our youth, and the community as a whole above all else. With the current rise in cases, events moving inside for the winter months and several upcoming holidays, there is uncertainty about what lies ahead. Adding a basketball league is an additional risk we feel should not be taken at this time.
Fava said that Parks & Rec is looking into alternative programs. Some basketball might be played if the DPH changes its recommendations, and school facilities become available.
This is a normal scene — in May, June, July or August.
Late October: not so much.
The beach sweeping crew was out yesterday, as the temperature neared 80.
(Photo/Chip Stephens)
Temperatures will still be in the 60s today and tomorrow. Everyone into the pool!
Tickets are still available for this Saturday’s “Show of Shows” (October 24, 7 p.m.), livestreamed from the Westport Library.
The great David Pogue MCs. Award-winning producer Andrew Wilk is the (very) creative director.
The show includes local personalities, comedy sketches, musical numbers with unexpected twists, and more.
Click here for information and tickets.
Westport Masks — the volunteer effort begun in the early days of the pandemic — has now made over 5,300 face coverings.
Thanks to sales, they’ve donated $1,500 to local food banks.
And they’re still going strong.
Tomorrow (Saturday, October 24) they’ll have their first pop-up shop mask sale. It’s at 19 Center Street (the corner of Brightfield Lane). Stop by — to keep yourself safe, and your neighbors fed.
And finally … yesterday was the 75th birthday of the Rascals’ Eddie Brigati. The vocalist/tambourine player helped write “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “Groovin’,” “How Can I Be Sure” — and this classic:
