Kids enjoy hands-on fun at the Old Lyme Midsummer Festival on Saturday, July 28.
Old Lymes Midsummer Festival is a town-wide celebration of the arts held Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28. Since the early 20th century Old Lyme has been known to artists and art lovers alike as a haven for the arts. 2012 marks the addition of many new participants to this community event, a quintessential New England celebration for all ages.
It takes place in the heart of Old Lymes historic district, with activities spanning locations along Lyme Street the Florence Griswold Museum, the Lyme Art Association, and the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. This year, the festivities continue at the Old Lyme Inn, Studio 80 + Sculpture Park, and a variety of Lyme Street merchants. For more information visit www.OldLymeMidsummerFestival.com
On Friday, July 27, the evening begins with three receptions from 5 to 7pm, all with free admission.
- At the Lyme Art Association enjoy music, refreshments and hundreds of works of art filling two floors of the historic gallery.
- At the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts visitors view the best current work by students in the schools major programs and the exhibition, Finnegans Farm: Then and Now, works by college alumni and friends over the past 20 years.
- At the Florence Griswold Museum, visitors can view the special exhibition On Hudson: Highlights from the Albany Institute of History amp; Art.
The annual free concert from 7-9 pm at the Florence Griswold Museum is always a favorite and makes for a perfect summer evening. This years band is River City Slim amp; The Zydeco Hogs. Find your spot along the Lieutenant River enjoy the spicy musical gumbo. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner or let Gourmet Galley prepare a delicious meal. Reservations can be made at www.Gourmet-Galley.com. Dessert also available from the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe.
The festival continues on Saturday, July 28, with activities at many locations along Lyme Street. Festivalgoers may park at the Old Lyme Marketplace, Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, Lyme-Old Lyme High School, Lyme-Old Lyme Center and Middle Schools, and Old Lyme PGN Library. A free shuttle bus will travel between these locations from 9 am to 3 pm
At the Florence Griswold Museum, the day begins with breakfast at 8:30 am Gourmet Galley serves breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon until 3 pm One of the highlights of the day is Market En Plein Air. This outdoor market features Connecticut-grown flowers, fruits, vegetables, breads, fine cheeses, herbs and specialty foods in a setting modeled after outdoor markets in French villages. Crafted-by-Hand: An Artisan Fair features noted jewelry designers and other craftsmen from across the state. These events open at 9 am and close at 3 pm
At 10am, local cultural organizations provide creative projects for all children of all ages at the Hands-On, Minds-On area. Included are activities by the Old Lyme PGN Library, Lymes Youth Service Bureau, and High Hopes Therapeutic Riding. This event close at 3 pm
Four-legged friends can participate in the Parading Paws Dog Show hosted byVista Vocational amp; Life Skills Center of Westbrook. Does your dog have the best smile, longest tail, biggest paws? Registration is from 9- 10am. Judging begins at 10:30am. Special categories include Best Trick and Best Costume. Guest Judge, Jill Abramson is the executive editor of The New York Times and author of The Puppy Diaries: Raising a Dog Named Scout. The event is sponsored by Vista Vittles ~ 100% Natural Treats for Dogs.
Visitors enjoy a reduced admission of $5 to the Museum from 10am to 5pm, including the historic Florence Griswold House and the special exhibition On Hudson: Highlights from the Albany Institute of History amp; Art.
At 11am and 2pm enjoy an interactive, energetic concert by Steve Elci, guaranteed to make all ages smile.
From 11am to 3pm visitors can get decorated by Zs Face Painting and Glitter Tattoos. Cost: $5.
From 11:30am – 12:30pm, Jill Abramson, executive editor of The New York Times and author of The Puppy Diaries: Raising a Dog Named Scout will sign her instructive and entertaining chronicle of Scouts first year.
At 12pm the Bee and Thistle Inn and Spa hosts BEAT Shoreline Chef Competition. Just like on TV, four local chefs are given secret ingredients selected from Market En Plein Air vendors. Using those items they prepare a dish to be judged on taste and presentation. Spectators watch as the chefs prepare their items and are judged. The event takes place at the Florence Griswold Museum on stage by the banks of the Lieutenant River.
From 1 to 2pm, join chef, author and advocate Emily Brooks for a brief discussion about local food and the sustainable agriculture movements. The event will conclude with a book signing of her most recent publications Connecticut Farmer amp; Feast and New York City Farmer amp; Feast.
Next door to the Museum, at the Lyme Art Association, activities begin at 9am. GMonkey Mobile Food Truck, the nations first organic, all-vegetarian, eco-friendly sustainable food truck serves farm-fresh food all day. Beginning at 9am visitors can enjoy five exhibitions by member artists, including exhibitions of large-scale figure paintings, representational printmaking, and maritime art and the 2nd Annual Celebrating Lymes Beauty.
The Lyme Art Association will also host a variety of community organizations. The Paperback Book Sale, organized by the Friends of the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, features books for 50cent; to $1.00. The Lyme Garden Club sells locally grown floral arrangements, herb-infused cooking oils, and gifts for gardeners. Proceeds benefit the Lyme Garden Club. Old Lyme Historical Society features books and pamphlets pertaining to the rich history of Old Lyme. The Nearly New Shop sells gently used clothing, accessories, and household goods to benefit Saint Anns Episcopal Church of Old Lyme. These events close at 3pm.
Once again this year the Lyme Art Association presents a festival favorite, Artists and Animals, from 10am to 2pm. Using farm animals as models, professional artists work on the lawn to capture their funny farm friends on paper. Bring your drawings supplies and join in!
At the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, visitors enjoy a showcase of the best student work from all major programs. Additionally, Finnegans Farm: Then and Now will be on view. The exhibition is a celebration of art and place featuring College alumni and friends over the past 20 years.
Find art books and more at the Lyme Academys Used Book Sale. All sales benefit the Colleges fine art library. Beginning at 11am, the Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club will be on the grounds of the school with their famous hotdogs and hamburgers. These events begin at 9am and close at 3pm.
From 11am to 3pm, the Midsummer Festival Youth Music Stage offers continuous music on the lawn of the Lyme Academy featuring the best in youth music. These activities are sponsored by Lymes Youth Service Bureau and Bring Our Music Back, Inc. The line-up features Circle of Song with Molly Bowers amp; Noah Feldman from 11am to noon; Waterford High School students perform rockin Celtic creations and favorites as Celtic Ceol from noon to 1pm; the folk, reggae, and jazz of One Family Vibration from 1 to 2pm; and the youth horn band The Modern Riffs perform from 2 to 3pm.
Visitors can purchase lunch from 11:30am-2pm at The College Cafe Al Fresco, which features turkey wraps, salads, homemade cookies, and lemonade.
From 1:30 to 2:30pm nationally known author, humorist and University of Connecticut Professor of English, Gina Barreca reads from and talks about her two recent works, Its Not That Im Bitter and Make Mine a Double. Barreca, who has been called the funniest woman writer in America will also take questions. Book sale and signing courtesy of RJ Julia will follow. This event is organized by Old Lyme PGN Library.
Located next to the Lyme Academy College, visitors can explore Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds from 9am to 5pm. A new site to the festival, the grounds feature 50 contemporary art sculptural works by Gilbert Boro and visiting artists on 4.5 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy jazz poolside by Russ Becker and Steve Roane from 11-2, meet Sculptor Gilbert Boro, see works by featured artist Bryan Gorneau, and view demonstrations in the studio.
Also new this year, the Old Lyme Inn presents Light Bites and Live Music on their front lawn. Live music played by renowned Jazz musicians offers visitors a sneak peek at the Inns Jazz Club slated to open in early 2013.
From 10am to 5pm the Lyme Street Merchants feature a sidewalk sale. Shoppers follow yellow balloons down Lyme Street to the heart of the village where 10 unique shops and galleries offer an array of beautiful treasures. Beautiful art, home decor, chocolates, ice cream, and more!
Visit OldLymeMidsummerFestival.com for all participating organizations and stores and more information.