The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘A GOOD START’
First-ever ‘Saturday in the Park’ at Coe Memorial Park draws 500
TORRINGTON >> The number of attendees was less than expected due to the cool early-morning weather as well as people departing town for the Memorial Day weekend but the firstever Saturday in the Park event at Coe Memorial Park at 101 Litchfield St. on Saturday drew about 500 visitors throughout the 69-degree sunny day.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., families shopped 15 local arts and crafts vendors’ tents spread along the main lawn; listened to live music in front of the Civic Center; and ate food and beverages from local vendors. The Main Street Marketplace Express children’s train, driven by Rich Audet of Agawam, Massachusetts, took children and parents around the periphery the park.
Edward Cannata, chairman of the Arts & Culture Commission of Torrington, which put on the event and which had its own tent selling Torrington-centric holiday tree ornaments, said, “The day is to celebrate Coe Park on what a great park it is. It is a nice tradition to start.”
Commission member Rachel Kelly added, “It’s a really fun day for parents and kids.”
Performing in front of the Coe Memorial Park Civic Center starting at noon, Torrington’s Singer Songwriter Network provided live acoustic acts that included Gale Gardiner; Howie B; Kath Bloom; Mark Papallo as well as former State Rep. Brian Mattiello.
“We like outdoor music,” said Debbie Grohowski of Barkhamsted, who sat nearby in a lawn chair along with her husband Tim, who added, “We have been to the Ladies N’ Lyrics and have been following the music from them.” Grohowski referred to Torrington’s local concert series, currently on sabbatical, featuring female acoustic singer-songwriters that perform at various venues.
Theresa Channell, who runs both the Ladies N’ Lyrics and Singer Songwriter Network, was on hand videotaping the performers, while her colleague (and Commission member) Jacque Williams played music during DJ sets between live acts. Sound engineer Jim Laurentano walked around the concert area with a digital sound board on his iPad, periodically checking sound emanating from the microphones.
Channell said, “It’s a beautiful day, and a good start to the event. Next year, we hope to double the visitors.”
Williams added, “It’s a nice afternoon, and it is great what we were able to do this year.”
Inside the Civic Center auditorium, “The History of Coe Park” played on a video loop on a TV. The program, narrated by Mark McEachern, executive director of the Torrington Historical Society, detailed the Park’s history as the Coe family’s siblings’ donation of the property as a memorial to their late parents; the later design and building by architects James W. Scott and Percival Gallagher; and the memorial boulder which commemorated the American Civil War.
Outside and across the park at the vendors’ tents on the lawn, Judy Watts sold fresh rolls, muffins, and cookies from First Act Bakery. The store is run by Watts’ daughter, Stephanie, up the road at 53 Main Street. “It’s been a busy day, and it’s been nice to listen to music,” Watts commented.
At the next tent, Suzanne Tocci of By Suzanne sold hand-crafted jewelry
to curious customers. One necklace that caught visitors’ eyes was made of large dark-blue titanium geodes.
“They are crystal-like, the way they are taken from the ground,” Tocci explained, adding, “The necklace weighs about nine pounds.” Tocci said she sells her jewelry online and at local craft fairs, such as the Goshen Farmers Market at Miranda Vineyard at 42 Ives St. in Goshen. Tocci said, “I love fairs like this. I enjoy talking to people in person.”
Ginger Balch of the local In Sheep’s Clothing Yarn Shop sat at her loom under her tent.
“It’s a great event,” Balch said. “I’ve been enjoying the music all day.”