Westport is smokin’ today.
It’s not just the smell of bratwurst and sausage wafting across Elm Street.

Walden Meats’ grill gets a workout.
Downtown was cooking, as the 8th annual Westoberfest drew hundreds of beer lovers, wine drinkers, little kids, and anyone else looking for all-ages fun.

What’s a Westoberfest without a petting zoo?
The weather was perfect — 80 degrees and sunny — for the Westport Downtown Association’s street fair.

Josh Allen in lederhosen; Helen McAlinden, Huong Belpedio, Annette Norton. All are with the Westport Downtown Association.
The festivities go on until 6 p.m. Prost!

“06880” celebrates with Matt Bannon. The Westporter’s Barn Brew Company offers craft beers and THC-infused beverages. (Photo/Dave Briggs)

“Make your own charcuterie” is a new feature at Westoberfest.

Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley, in the beer tent.

Markus Marty (right) was on hand, with Bike Westport. Riding the stationary bike had a reward: It powered a smoothie.

Westporters — and visitors from Washington — enjoyed the day.
==================================================
Earlier in the day, a League of Women Voters “Meet the RTM Candidates” session drew plenty of Representative Town Meeting incumbents and hopefuls — and a few voters — to the Westport Library.

Claudia Shaum and Velma Heller welcome candidates and voters. (Photo/Joan Gillman)
The town’s legislative body is non-partisan. There was plenty of good, friendly schmoozing, over coffee and treats.

Candidates, for a variety of offices. (Photo/Joan Gillman)
Scouts from Troops 39/139 were there too, getting out the vote by helping younger kids creat signs.
Unlike the candidates’, these were homemade.

(Photo/Joan Gillman)

Jack Klinge (left), 87, has served on the RTM for nearly 3 decades. Addison Moore (right), 21, is running for a seat. If elected, he would be its youngest member — perhaps the youngest in history.

Another group of attendees. (Photo/Joan Gillman)

The long and the short of it: Russ Burkhardt (center), with Dan Woog and Jimmy Izzo.
==================================================
A few yards away, the annual Volunteer Fair filled the Trefz Forum. Several dozen non-profits and town organizations were there, inviting attendees to learn more about what they offered.
And to sign up new folks, eager to help.

VFW Post 399, and the American Legion.

Positive Directions, the mental health and substance abuse support and resource center.

Something for everyone. (All photos Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
==================================================
That was just Act 1.
Westport’s very active Saturday spills into tonight, with the Westport Country Playhouse gala honoring Nathan Lane and Anne Keefe — and, across town, Earthplace’s Woodside Bash.
The fun continues tomorrow.
Westport Moms’ 5th annual Family Fun Fall Festival (Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) includes a ninja wall, pottery making, pumpkin decorating, face painting, a bounce house, games, basketball clinics, chess matches, hair tinsel, a DJ, Mad Science show, character photo ops, pizza and taco food trucks, and more.
Click here for tickets, and more information.

Another typical fall Saturday in Westport, I love how the photos captured the diversity of………wait, sorry, wrong blog