
ANSONIA — The city’s annual Harvest Festival will make its autumnal return downtown this weekend.
The festival, hosted by the Ansonia Cultural Commission, will take over Main Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 24). Admission is free, and free parking will be available on East and West Main streets, as well as in the former Big Y parking lot.
Events Coordinator Rich DiCarlo said with Saturday’s forecast calling for sunny skies and fall-like temperatures, it’s sure to be a fun day out.
“We’ve got a nice mix of food and craft vendors, live music on two stages, a kids’ zone and a lot more,” DiCarlo said.
DiCarlo said this year’s festival will feature in part more than 125 food and craft vendors, peddling everything from traditional American fare like burgers and hot dogs and seafood to BBQ, along with jewelry, artwork, fall décor, handmade soaps, candles and more.
There will also be live music courtesy of Peter Roditis, Tyrell Lee and the Silver Steel Band, as well as a kids’ zone featuring a free petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, kids crafts and more. Local restaurants lining Main Street will also be open during the festival, and the Valley Art Council’s Main Street Gallery will also be open for folks to browse and purchase local artwork. Local organizations will also be manning booths, including the Derby Historical Society, who’ll have weaving and doll-making demonstrations, a photo booth and visit from the 6th CT Regiment, as well as offer colonial-era goods for sale.
DiCarlo, who credited Ansonia Cultural Commission Chairwoman Irene Krom-Kirby for her tireless efforts in ensuring the festival is a success, said the event is the commission’s biggest event of the year.
“It’s our official kick-off to the fall season, and a good way to end the summer,” DiCarlo said.