3rd Thursday Street Fest
September 19th 2024
6-9pm Main St.
Press Release for September 2024
Willimantic’s 3rd Thursday Street Fest
It’s the last one of the season and omg are we excited for this one! September 19th, from 6-9pm, Main St in Willimantic will be as full as ever! We have over 140, yes, 140 vendors to visit, participate in fun and creative activities, shop from a variety of local artisans and crafters, or explore an expansive amount of curated food vendors. This is our biggest one yet! The entertainment is hot hot hot as the season begins to cool down.
MidTown, right at the beer garden, will feature Jake Kulak and the Modern Vandals as the spectacular opener. They are followed by Whiskey Boulevard which is new to us, exciting, and always draws a crowd! DownTown will have Bruce John and the Dinosaurs After Dark followed by the Karen Lussier Band. Mansfield Academy of Dance will also be DownTown with a dancing performance showcase. UpTown has the Hartford Jazz Society performing at Eminence Ink. Thank you to HJS for sponsoring the stage, as well! ACT will be performing on Bank St some new choreographed moves, the Children’s Area will host Johnnie Walker for family fun, and Waldo with Grasshopper Entertainment will be on stilts all over the street. There might also be a few surprises!
If you can get in the door, stop for a fun boba tea at Paula & Janes, eat an expertly designed sweet treat at A Cupcake for Later, grab an authentic burrito at Cordoba, taste a nice slice of local ingredients on fired pizza at Trigo, Rosa Gallo’s has a great latin influenced menu, cap it off with a coffee from Grounded, or wander further up to Willibrew for a local beer (also featured in the beer garden) and now with a new menu, or Stone Row for a hip atmosphere and creative cuisine. We have vendors spanning from Puerto Rican to cider donuts and frozen lemonade to fried dough. CLiCK supports the local food vendors within our community to showcase their skill and yummy talent!
As always, 3rd Thursday would not exist without your support. Physically helping by volunteering before, during, or after the Fest is always a fantastic way to contribute. We have opportunities for all ages and abilities. Also, financially we could not do it without you as well, so, we will take a moment to thank some of our sponsors with a focus on the Leo J. and Rose Pageau Trust. Their matching grant helps us bring all of this to you, for free. Please consider helping us match their generosity with donations in the infobooth. We are now taking credit cards and there is an ATM on site. Help us create joy and keep the party going.
We have a few of our new logo stainless steel cups and Romantic Willimantic T-Shirts remaining for 2024, as well! Bring back your cup for a dollar off beer garden beer from 6-7pm. Proceeds benefit the fest, directly. SO: Take a break from the day to day stress and let us help you unwind, dance, eat, shop, socialize, and celebrate your community this September 19th. Free to park and free to attend.
The website www.willimanticstreetfest.com has the full lineup of entertainment, vendors, and merchants by month and location.
Email us at info@willimanticstreetfest.com with any questions/concerns or vendors@willimanticstreetfest.com to become a vendor.
Find us on facebook and instagram for fun features, information on specials, and inside looks into our participating people.
Quick side note about this fest, parking will be largely unavailable at Jillson Square due to a pop up carnival hosted by the town and the North Windham Volunteer Fire Department. We are securing alternative lots and space for vehicles… If you can offer space or have clever ideas on where to park to access Main St. easily, we are all ears.
Thank you and see you soon!
Xo
Willimantic Renaissance, Inc. is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed to revitalize downtown Willimantic by celebrating diversity, building community and attracting consumers.
Willimantic Renaissance Inc. �-� PO Box 866 �-� Willimantic CT �-� 06226
860-450-0918 �-� info@WillimanticStreetFest.com
www.WillimanticStreetFest.com