Strolling On A Soundview Sunday

Dan Woog

10 months ago

Brief showers chased away some of the midday crowd, at yesterday’s 2nd annual Soundview Summer Stroll.

But the folks who were there before noon — and the ones who came (or returned) after the quick rain — had a great time.

The beach exit road was closed to cars. So kids and parents (and people without children) enjoyed a relaxed amble up and down the street.

There were fit 20somethings on Rollerblades, and youngsters on bikes. One woman said, “This is the first time I didn’t worry about him riding in Westport.”

Four bands and one solo artist played for 7 hours. Rock, funk, alt, disco, new wave, pop, classics … Owen Daniel, Deep Valley Road & Friends, Core, Not My Problem and Rock Paper Soul covered it all, perched on a porch.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

Old Mill Grocery by Romanacci served up plenty of pizzas, and hundreds of gelatos.

At the end of Soundview, kids painted rocks, got their faces painted, threw water balloons, mugged in a photo booth — and chalked the street.

The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to the town, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association.

Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department offered invaluable help. So did music director Dana Gordon, volunteers who helped with children’s activities, and organizers Kristin Mott Purcell and Sunil Hirani.

“You should do this every Sunday!” one woman said.

Well … it’s quite an undertaking. But we’re already looking forward to next year’s Soundview Summer Stroll.

We will try to pick a date with better weather.