West Hartford Will 'Celebrate' This Weekend

Press Release written by Barbara Belmont.

Once a small, one-day event, Celebrate West Hartford – now in its 28th year – has evolved into an award-winning festival that draws more than 40,000 people each year during the course of its two-day run.  

Attendees include town residents and as well as tourists who come to West Hartford to enjoy all the food, fun, music and crafts the festival has to offer. “We’re delighted that our signature event attracts so many West Hartford residents, as well as visitors from afar,” said Mary Alexander, Celebrate chair. “The event represents true community and celebrates what West Hartford is all about: the families, the arts, the music, the restaurants, the businesses and the non-profits that make our town such a wonderful place to live, work, play and visit."

A major attraction is the juried arts and crafts show, featuring the original works of more than 175 master artists and crafters from all over the country. The show includes fine jewelry, pottery, woodwork, sculpture, textiles, glasswork, art, apparel and more. According to Barbara Belmont, arts and crafts show supervisor, “The arts and crafts show has become one of the top showcases in New England for the exhibition and sale of highly original arts and crafts created both by regional artisans and those who travel great distances to participate.”

Music plays an important role at the event as well. West Hartford’s award-winning a capella group Be S#arp, student jazz ensembles, and middle school and high school bands will play throughout Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the Show Stage features professional musicians beginning at noon with The Memphis Soul Spectacular playing through to 1:30 p.m. They are followed by The Cartells from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Orquesta Afinke performing from 4:00 to  6:00 p.m.

Celebrate also has an amusement park with rides for children, and lots of booths with family activities and information on community organizations, clubs and town services.  

“The event is a great vehicle for community engagement. People enjoy learnng about the wide range of services available to them through non-profit or business exhibitors,” said event director Linda Geisler. “At the same time, they reconnect with friends from all over town.”

Celebrate West Hartford is also known for it large and diverse food court, which will include a wide range of festival favorites including hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza, fried veggies, ice cream, fruit smoothies and the like. Celebrate will also feature wonderful selections from several of West Hartford’s restaurants, markets and caterers.

On Sunday, the 27th running of the Celebrate West Hartford 5K road race starts at 9:30 a.m. from the Whole Foods parking lot. For the young runners ages 10 and under, there’s the Kids’ Fun Run, which starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration for either race can be done in advance or on site Sunday beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Celebrate West Hartford is open to the public and is held rain or shine. There is no admission charge and ample parking is available.  

Visit www.celebratewesthartford.com and find out more. Like Celebrate West Hartford on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/celebratewesthartford) and follow the event on Twitter (@CelebrateWH) for updates all weekend long!