New London, Connecticut, Festivals Bring Residents and Tourists Downtown

The New London, CT summer festival season has been a big hit this year, with art fairs, weekly farmer's markets, Sailfest and fireworks, Shakespeare on the Pier, a film festival, and the Fish Tales, Tugs, and Sails event last weekend. The success of the summer festivals at the City Pier behind Union Station reveals the resurgence of life in downtown New London after years of slow business and shuttered buildings.

"We've had many more people down here this year," said Captain Walter Barnard of Project Oceanology at the Fish Tales, Tugs, and Sails Festival on August 11. "In previous years we had about 100, this year we just passed 900 people. It is beautiful weather and they've done a great job hyping up the festival."

The Fish Tales, Tugs, and Sails Festival aimed to reinforce a love of reading and maritime activities for children. This multi-faceted children's festival featured children's authors, performers, and local organizations. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Chinook was open for children to explore and ask questions. Project Oceanology provides boat tours and a waterfront laboratory for public school classes, and the Enviro-Lab was available for children during the festival.

Beyond the singular success of each event, the culmination of festivals brings people to downtown New London to see for themselves what other opportunities the city offers. The New London Main Street Organization, which organizes many of the festivals, now actively promotes upcoming events through signs and its booths. Most are family-friendly, and due to the city's huge maritime influence, tied to the water in some capacity.

Upcoming events include: a Celtic waterfront festival, Celts & Currachs, on August 25; Wet Paint Week September 1-8; and Books, Brushes, Jazz & Blues on September 9. The Celts & Currachs festival will feature music, food, and a rowing contest. Books, Brushes, Jazz & Blues combines something of each medium in a celebration of local artists and restaurants, while Wet Paint Week features artists painting scenes of the district and New London clubs and restaurants hosting blues and jazz performances. Whether attendees want to learn about the history of local heroes like Eugene O'Neill, listen to author readings, enjoy the music, or gaze at the juxtaposition of art and water, these festivals have something for everyone.

All events take place in New London's Waterfront Park, and free on-street parking will be available throughout New London. See the New London Main Street Organization website for more information.