Marketplace nonprofit happy with feedback

Annual Main Street event concluded Aug. 18

TORRINGTON >> Another year of the Main Street Marketplace in Torrington has come to an end. The five-week run of the annual street fair was held for the final time in 2016 last Thursday.

Main Street Torrington, a local non-profit, was tasked with operating the event for the first time this year, and its president, Kris Roberts, said Wednesday that the community was pleased with the results.

Businesses and visitors have shared positive reactions to this year’s iteration of the event, Roberts said.

“It went smoother than I anticipated,” said Roberts. “We’re really excited about the feedback we’ve

gotten.”

The return to Main Street, after the event had previously been held on Franklin Street, changed the event, Roberts said, but ultimately served as a boon.

To open up space for the fire department to travel if need be and accommodate the narrowing of the road, Roberts said, vendors were lined up along the side of the road — which opened up space for an oft-running train ride for children and families, and provided space for visitors to walk.

Planning next year’s Marketplace, Roberts said, would be simpler than this initial go-around.

“We spent so much time this year getting our infrastructure in place,” said Roberts. “Now we can concentrate on making it a better experience for attendees.”

The event will likely be held for five weeks again next year — part of an effort to “keep it fresh and exciting,” Roberts said, as opposed to stretching it out over a longer period.

Between now and then, aspects of the Marketplace — the weekly grand marshals, the train, the seating area for diners — would be fine-tuned, Roberts said, and ideas from the public would be solicited.

The committee that organized the event, Roberts said, thanked the Marketplace community for their support this year.

“Without all of that, the event would be going nowhere,” said Roberts.

Main Street Torrington took over administration of the annual event from the city in January, announcing at the time that it would return to Main Street.

The event was held each Thursday from July 21 to Aug. 18.

PHOTOS BY BEN LAMBERT — THE REGISTER CITIZEN Kiddie games were among the activities to be found at this summer’s Main Street Marketplace.

Caricature artists draw ‘cartoony’ versions of guests.