One of Westport’s signature events — the Fine Arts Festival — returns for its 52nd year on Memorial Day weekend.
On May 24 and 25 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), the national Top 20 show draws 165 fine artists from 19 states to Main Street and Elm Street. As always, there are returning faces. This year, 41 artists are new.
The Westport Downtown Association includes plenty of family activities. They include Elmo and friends, facepainting, crafts, games, dancing and photo ops.
There’s wine and beer for adults, and plenty of food vendors. Lots more information is available here.
Of course, “06880” will add more details, as the Fine Arts Festival nears.
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Another great tradition — though just a decade old — is the Westport Pops Concert.
This year’s event is June 6. The Staples High School Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orphenians, Choralaires and other small group ensembles will perform — and Jim Naughton will host — at the Levitt Pavilion.
Gates open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7. Tickets are free, but a suggested donation of $15 helps offset production costs. They’ll be available at Staplesmusic.org beginning 9 a.m. on May 28. They’re first-come, first-served, so be ready. They’re snapped up fast!
This year’s poster was designed by senior Connor Yuan.
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On Tuesday, the Westport Young Woman’s League awarded $65,000 in grants, to a dozen local non-profits making a difference locally.
They include:
• Caroline House ($10,000): Provides ESL education and early childhood support to immigrant and refugee women and children in Bridgeport, promoting literacy and life skills for the whole family.
• Circle of Friends ($10,000): Offers inclusive social experiences, and a sensory-friendly “Quiet Zone” for people with autism and disabilities.
• Filling in the Blanks ($10,000): Delivers weekend meals to food-insecure children, to close the hunger gap when school is not in session.
• Liberation Programs ($10,000): Supports childcare for mothers undergoing substance use treatment at the Families in Recovery Program in Norwalk.
• Westport Farmers’ Market ($5,000): Funds a culinary program where students prepare farm-to-table meals for residents of local homeless shelters.
• VFW Post 399 ($5,000): Launches a veteran lunch and food donation program to connect veterans — especially disabled and underserved — with critical resources.
• Levitt Pavilion ($4,000): Sponsor of a free children’s concert series.
• Staples Tuition Grant ($3,000): Supporting local students’ educational goals.
• LiveGirl ($2,500): Backing youth leadership and confidence-building programs.
• Westport Country Playhouse ($2,000): Offering free and discounted tickets to family-friendly performances based on children’s literature.
• My Team Triumph ($2,000): Covering race registration fees for athletes with disabilities.
• Positive Directions ($1,500): Promoting local mental health awareness initiatives.
VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado (center) with the $5,000 Westport Young Woman’s League grant from Grants Committee chairi Bronwyn Cousins and president Tainara Cruvinel.
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Speaking of giving back:
As parrt of the Sunrise Rotary Club’s Epic Day of Service this tomorrow (Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), they’re partnering with Big Y to collect food for Homes with Hope.
This is Big Y’s first time working with Sunrise Rotary — and the cause is great — so they hope for a huge turnout.
Bring non-perishable items — and/or pick up some while you shop.
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The Westport Youth Commission’s Student Job Bank is relaunched. And it’s better than ever.
The platform helps local businesses and organizations offer part-time, seasonal and intern positions to high school students. They include retail work, business help, non-profit assistance, lifeguards, camp counselors, and many more.
The previous Job Bank was free for students, but businesses had to pay to post jobs. The Youth Commission donated a percentage of those fees to charity.
When the platform they used went out of business last year, the Commission had to fiind a new solution. Based on student and business feedback, they opened a new platform, without anyone paying. It’s now free.
To be included on the Job Bank, fill out this form or email westportyouthcommission203@gmail.com. The Job Bank can be found here.
Questions? Email kgodburn@westportct.gov.
Youth Commission co-chair Jake Shufro (3rd from left) presents Homes with Hope with a check, from previous Job Bank proceeds.
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May is AAPI Heritage Month. And Westport is celebrating with a wide array of events.
It began with a lunch at the new downtown hot spot, Sushi Jin. AAPI Westport members Vicky Nguyen and Anna Kai about spoke Vicky’s new bookm “Boat Baby,” at the New Canaan Library. Members then enjoyed Japanese treats and sodas while watching Gundam Gquuuuuux at Middle School Anime Night at Toquet Hall.
Still to come:
- A family hike at Earthplace this Sunday (May 18, 10 a.m.). Reserve a spot here.
- A conversation with Kevin Nguyen about his new book, “My Documents” (Tuesday, May 20, 7 p.m., Westport Library). It’s been named one of the “Best Books of 2025 (So Far)” by Esquire Magazine.
- AAPI Restaurant Week (actually, longer) runs through May 31. Participating restaurants are here.
AAPI Westport gives a Special shoutout to the elementary school librarians and PTAs for inviting Christina Soontornvat as their visiting author this year. Students will meet her next week.
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A little rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of Club203.
Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities celebrated Wednesday, at Earthplace.
DJ Joe kept the smooth vibes playing; Ed’s Fusion provided the pizzas, and MoCA CT helped everyone build birdhouses.
Party time at Earthplace!
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Sunil Hirani provides today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
It doesn’t get more classic than this.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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And finally … on this date in 1888, Nikola Tesla delivered a lecture about how to use alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances.
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Great poster Mr Yuan‼️👍🏼
Where does the Young Women’s League get the funds to award grants?
All kinds of events. I think the biggest is the Minute Man Road Race.
Also Craft Westport held at Staples each November.
Wen Dan reports/posts this type of column, I think — the BEST of Westport, my home town. Concentrated positiveness.