Be a Friend of the Fest

We are very excited to announce this year's 3rd Thursday Street Fests for 2024, our 21st year! This year we are dedicated to fundraising within the community with a focus on large and small donors to invigorate and sustain the street fest that you know and love! As a free event for the public, we have many expenses and YOU help us stay exciting each year as we grow and find new opportunities to support YOUR fest and YOUR community.

As you know, Willimantic Renaissance, Inc (WRI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with the goal of revitalizing downtown Willimantic. The 3rd Thursday Street Fests are an engine for the local economy disguised as a festive celebration to bring our community together. 

We strive to distinguish Main Street as the regional arts, entertainment, dining, and shopping focal point.  And it works!  Each fest gathers 5,000 to 8,000 people downtown to enjoy the festivities, visit with friends, shop local vendors, eat sumptuous food, and bring a renewed sense of town pride and commerce to Willimantic. This past season, we had the largest attendance in almost 10 years and we had over 120 assorted vendors lining the streets. That is fantastic exposure for them and for Willimantic!

The 3rd Thursday Street Fests are FREE, because we are mostly a volunteer effort. Through sponsorships and contributions, we are able to pay close to 50% of our costs, while vendor fees and beverage sales pay the rest. The Fests alternate between making a little and losing a little money each year as organizers strive to stay within the tight budget. Our needs range from paying for entertainment, coordinators, licensing, beer/wine purchases, rentals of equipment, marketing, street performers etc. This year there is a specific focus on expanding our marketing, which will benefit everyone.

Generously, the Leo J. and Rose Pageau Trust donated $12,000 this year and we need to match it in donations! We have a fantastic Marketing grant from the Eastern Regional Tourism District and we are again in the budget for the Town of Windham (thank you so much for last year’s great contribution). We know that many of you give every year and we are endlessly thankful. We really need you. We hope that you are able to help 3rd Thursday Street Fests this year with a much needed and appreciated contribution. 

It's easy - all you have to do is drop us a note and enclose a check for $30 make out to WRI (Willimantic Renaissance Inc.)

Mail To:
WRI
PO Box 866, Attn: Donation, Willimantic, CT 06226

 

Thank you for your generosity!!!