Some of the most important things to Shoreline Out and About is family and a sense of community. We are constantly trying to get ahead, and more often than not, the sense of community that we grew up with is left behind.
That is why I decided that an event like this deserves more than a paragraph in”Weekend Update” . Celebrate East Lyme is all about community, and it is all about family. Heather Caulkins and numerous volunteers have spent countless hours organizing vendors, scheduling entertainment, and everything else that is involved with putting an event like this together.
“This year, in addition to focusing on fundraising for local non-profit organizations, we have added many family friendly activities. We realize in this economy how difficult it may be for families to come out and enjoy an event like this without breaking the bank. As a business owner and mother of 4, I found it necessary in my third year as Event Coordinator, to make this year a more family friendly event while giving the business owners great exposure and excellent ROI. ” It’s nice to know that Heather has had a momentary lapse of reason for as long as I have.
What I like about this event, and makes it so unique is that it takes place on Main Street in Niantic. And when I say on Main Street, I mean right ON Main Street. Instead of cramming everything on the sidewalk, or on some side lot, this takes place right in the heart of the town. It does not get any more community oriented than that.
It all starts with the Sand Castle Building contest at 9 AM on the Hole in the Wall beach. After this, it takes a short beach while they get Main Street all set up, and kicks back off at 3 PM. This is when the festivities really start. In addition to over 150 vendors featuring evrything that you expect to see at a festival like this, including all the food we shouldn’t be eating, are going to anyways. For those of you who may want to event on a local politician, First Selectman Paul Formica puts his dignity, and dry clothes on the line as he climbs into the Dunk Tank to raise money for a very important charity, Walking Hearts for Donna, and the American Heart Association. Trust me, I will be dropping a few dollars there. Not just because it’s always fun to dunk a politician, but it is a great cause.
Celebrate East Lyme will also feature FIVE stages of entertainment.From dance and martial arts at the Arthur Murray stage to bands like Llama Tsunami, Steve Elci and Smoke Bubbles at the Protek stage to Veronica Ballecini and Derek The Magician at the Children’s Stage, there is live entertainment for everyone. Additionally St. John’s Church will also have their carnival in full swing.
For those of you who have not had the pleasure of visiting Niantic, it sits right on Niantic Bay. Is that a coincidence or what? Sorry about that. But here is the relevance to that. At 6PM, the Great Niantic Raft race kicks off. What’s better than costumed adults and kids racing their home made rafts for a trophy? And at 9PM, Fireworks. Need I say more on that?
So come out and join the town of East Lyme as they celebrate family and community. I will see you there.
Related posts:
- Chester’s 19th Annual May Daze Night
- Fireworks And Fundraisers
- Chester Ice Carnival
- Shiny And Blue At “The Kate” Do Not Miss This One!!!
- Shoreline Cabaret Night Club
