You didn’t have to push a stroller to enjoy yesterday’s first-ever Soundview Summer Stroll.
But it sure didn’t hurt.
Over 3,000 people — men, women and (especially) kids — thronged Soundview Drive (the beach exit road) for 6 hours of music, food, face painting, balloon artists, a photo booth, kids’ games, bicycling, rollerblading, and (literally) dancing in the street.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
The event — co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association — grew out of the annual fireworks show. Why, “06880” (and others) wondered, can’t we close the road to cars on a summer Sunday, and have our own special street festival?
With help from Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, Police Department and the Compo Beach Playground Committee, we did just that.
The “new” Westport (parents with all those strollers!) mingled with the “old” Westport (folks who actually “strolled”).
What’s more fun for a little kid than playing with chalk on the road? (Photo/Susan Garment)
It was a day to celebrate Westport. And — for at least one couple, who are thinking of moving here — it was a glimpse into the vibrant, fun, always-something-different community Westport has become.
“We thought we were lifers in Manhattan,” the husband said, juggling a kid (and a stroller).
“Then Westport happened.”
Venice Beach, California? No — Westport, Connecticut! (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
(“06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association thank Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, the Westport Police Department, Kristin Mott Purcell, Sunil Harani, the Compo Beach Playground Committee including Erin Hall (and their young helpers), 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Old Mill Grocery by Romanacci, Jim Hood, and the 4 musical acts: Christian Servance, Drew Angus and Dustin Lowman with the Connecticut Songwriters’ Collective, School of Rock New Canaan, and Rock Paper Soul.)
Some of the youngest music fans. (Photo/Sunil Hirani)
Old Mill Grocery by Romanacci was hopping all day. They served a full — and very popular — menu (photo below). (Photo/Sunil Hirani)
Gelato sales were jumpin’ too. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Compo Beach Committee volunteers helped younger kids enjoy a balloon toss … (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
… but they didn’t need much help chalking the street. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Melissa and Doug Bernstein (left) chat with Christian Servance — the first performer (with an “angelic” voice) and his mother. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, and grandson Charlie. (Photo/Dan Woog)
A young fan enjoys Drew Angus and Dustin Lowman. Both are Staples High School graduates. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Drew Angus and Dustin Lowman entertain the crowd. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Compo Beach Playground Committee chairs (from left) Bridget Flynn, Josh Sterling and Samantha Owades spread the word about next spring’s project …
… while teens from Sara Holland Sports helped with the (very wet) water balloon toss. From left: Emma Crino, Emily Crusio.
Davis Goldblat.
Hanging out on the street (from left): Kristin Mott Purcell, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cohen, Fire Department official Jennifer Petrosinelli, Dan Woog. (Photo/JC Martin)
Among the most popular events: tug of war! (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
With Soundview Drive closed, there was plenty of room to rollerblade. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
Just another day at the beach. (Photo/Benji Porosoff)
(“06880” was proud to sponsor yesterday’s Soundview Summer Stroll. It was a great community event — and we rely on this great community for support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
So happy for everyone. Dan, you started something amazing.
Congratulations. Rozanne Gates
Thank you so much Dan.. A great annual event was born.
it was great! plus the Romanacci stand was the best!!!!!
Congratulations Dan, very cool event!
When I was a kid in the ’60s, my family would rent a cottage (as they were then!) at Compo for the summer. And every summer there was a “block party” on Soundview … which was, I think, mostly for beach residents, and held in late afternoon into evening. I always remember them fondly. Much fun.
So this is a DELIGHT!!! Thrilling to have an old tradition back and broadened, showing the best of Westport. YAY!!
Romanicca pizza $5.00 a slice.. $40.00 for a pie.. your joking
They sold hundreds of slices (huge ones), and many, many pies (also quite large). Sorry you missed a great day, which thousands of people enjoyed.
really FANTASTIC photographs!