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08/18/2015 02:30 PMOn Saturday, Aug. 22, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce will host its first-ever Summerfest complete with music, food, and family activities all capped off with a massive fireworks display by Bay Fireworks. The festival begins at 5 p.m. at locations throughout Clinton with the fireworks display launched over Clinton Harbor.
The idea for the event was conceived this winter with planning beginning in March, according to Lauren Sposato, executive director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
“One of our board members, Mari Lee, is friends with...Andrew Randy from Clinton, who works for Bay Fireworks,” said Sposato. “They wondered why Clinton is the only town on the shoreline that doesn’t have a fireworks show and that sparked the whole thing.”
The Chamber, which is running the event, realized that a proper celebration was going to need a lot of community involvement, so set up a separate planning committee that includes board members as well as residents who just wanted to help to town throw a party.
The committee quickly determined that the event should be more than just fireworks.
“We have a lot of stuff happening,” said Sposato. “There will be three central locations where everything will be set up for the festival: Town Hall, Town Beach, and the third is the Pierson School.”
“All three [locations] are in walking distance of each other, either on East Main Street or just off of it on Waterside Lane,” said Sposato. “We will also be running shuttle buses from different spots in town. If [visitors] are bringing a chair or small children, they can just hop on a bus and go.”
Each location will feature different vendors and displays, some of which are free of charge such as the Yale Peabody Museum’s kids activities held at the Town Hall.
The Town Hall will also feature a Beer Tent hosted by the Clinton Rotary Club, the Sugar Cupcake Truck, and Wild Bill Taylor’s Caricatures. The Rock Bottom Band will also perform.
Town Beach will have entertainment from iCRV Radio and will feature Andie’s Cookies, Cuddle Cakes, Teach Art 2 Me, and Project Graduation.
Finally, the Pierson School will have the 744 Express Food Truck, a performance by the Night Flight Band, face painting, and other artisan booths.
Each station will have information about the event—and restrooms.
“Basically everything that you could imagine to happen at a festival like this one is happening,” said Sposato.
Sposato said that the Chamber is hoping that this will become an annual event, if all goes well.
The Clinton Chamber of Commerce is still seeking donations. For more information or to donate, call the Chamber at 860-669-3889.