More than 350 people turned out on Saturday, June 25 for Henry Carter Hull Library’s first-ever Summerfest.

The free event, which ran from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., included a book sale, live music on the lawn, a radio broadcast and auditions, a dunk tank with local luminaries, face painting, an obstacle course, crafts, and a cupcake truck.

“It was absolutely a success,” says HCH adult programming librarian Elizabeth Tucker. “We were able to reach a variety of ages and interests and provide a fun event that was open to everyone and that celebrated Clinton’s amazing community. It was our first attempt at an event like this, and there were some good lessons we learned and can apply to next year’s event.”

On the shaded lawn behind the library, the four-piece classic rock band The Engine Room performed for picnickers and families, and throughout the day, web radio station iCRV broadcast from their mobile studio, Tiny House, which streams from community events. With programs highlighting hiking, biking, paddling, nature, and the arts, iCRV’s playlist showcases independent musicians with local ties and listeners in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. General manager Dave Williams and his wife, Ibby Carothers, iCRV’s executive producer, held open auditions for radio announcers all day.

“We’re not looking for celebrities,” said Carothers. “We’re looking for personalities.”

Around 30 people approached the Tiny House, and half of them—15—worked up the nerve to go on the air and audition live, giving their name and town and announcing, “You are listening to iCRV Radio, the stream feeding the River Valley.”

The day’s lineup included Baby Boomers and voice talent as young as ten.

“We had some admirable attempts,” says Williams, “and for sure, we found one that will be on the air a lot. This is the voiceover for our station ID—one of many—that will run at the beginning of major interview segments.

Other brave souls—representing Morgan girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, junior class officers, the Clinton Police, Morgan faculty, and other community-minded individuals and groups—volunteered to staff the dunk tank. One of those volunteers was iCRV’s own Carothers.

“Ibby was willing to get soaking wet to help raise money,” says Williams. “She was awesome. Sometimes your best work is off-mic.” Williams says the best part of Summerfest was “celebrating the important meaning of the libraries in our towns and villages.”

Between the dunk tank and the book sale, says Tucker, HCH Summerfest raised more than $800.

“That total is remarkable when you consider that books were just 50 cents each. Over the course of two days, we sold over 1,500 books.”

Proceeds from Summerfest will benefit library programs such as teen crafts, movie screenings, children’s music, and other activities throughout the year.

“We’re already looking forward to Summerfest 2017,” Tucker adds. “We’ll be meeting in a few days to debrief and pick a date for next year so that we have plenty of time to get even more awesome activities lined up.”