Arts and Cultural Festival Held on the Green

The Naugatuck Arts Commission teamed up with the Naugatuck Cultural Council to host this year’s Arts & Cultural Festival on the Naugatuck Green on Saturday, Aug. 24. Art lovers of all ages came out to take advantage of  the beautiful weather, pARTicipate in the hands on activities and enjoy the live entertainment.

The family-friendly event featured a huge variety of live entertainment throughout the day by singers, dancers and theater performers from all walks of life. The Naugatuck Community Band, under the direction of Charley Marenghi, opened the day at 11:00 am and played many great selections from their summer program.

Zach Carter and Alex Hernandez of the Naugatuck Teen Theater performed a number from their most recent production Annie Get Your Gun in front of the gazebo. Portuguese, Laotian, African, and Spanish dancers performed. Anyone was able to sign up for “open mic” and the house band, the Rubber City played in between the talented performers. Rubber City presented a full concert  from 6-8 p.m.

In addition to live performances, there was an abundance of games, food and opportunities for creative engagement. The Naugatuck High School Chamber Singers sold pulled pork sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs and beverages. Another booth offered three varieties of tamales.

Adults and children had loads of  fun expressing themselves through an assortment of artistic media in the pARTicipate tent. Budding painters couold spend all the time they wanted creating under the tent. The “Instrument Petting Zoo” was open throughout the day to allow everyone to learn more about the many instruments of the world in a hands-on way.

A gallery of artwork by local artists was displayed under a tent. The Chalk-the-Walk contest was held on the sidewalk and judging for the photography contest was held.

Amidst the amusements many local artisans sold their handcrafted wares. Matica Arts returned this year with their open suitcase hands on show and many children enjoyed trying out the games of skill in the suitcase.

See the photos for some of the days festivities.