West Hartford's annual "Center Days" kicked off Thursday morning, and an unexpected break in the rainy weather permitted merchants to set up their usual sidewalk displays of discounted merchandise.
This year the Center Days, sponsored by the West Hartford Center Business Association, are about more than just shopping discounts, said Barbara Karsky, co-owner of BK& Co. and the association's president.
"We're trying to bring more of a festival atmosphere so that it's fun for families and a way to bring the community together," she said. The stores have great deals like they always do at this time, said Karsky, but there are other activities as well.
Visitors can also enjoy performances by three different live bands in front of Music & Arts at the corner of LaSalle and Farmington Ave., and train rides through the Center are available on the "Roaming Railroad" that is using the sidewalk near Kauoud as its station. West Hartford Magazine and Rockville Bank have water bottles, dog biscuits, lollipops, and magazines as giveaways in a tent in front of lululemon.
Stores are open from 10 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. On Friday night the Connor Zane Millican Trio, will perform "contemporary minimalist outlaw folk pop" from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Saturday Pushing Static (which "dances the line between synthpop and alternative rock") will perform from 2-3 p.m.
West Hartford Center Days run from July 11-13.
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