Community Corner
Let's Celebrate East Lyme!
The town's annual summer celebration includes activities to engage and entertain the entire family on Saturday, but the fun starts tonight with a Carnival at St. John's on Main Street and a dance at the library on Friday.
It's nearly time to Celebrate East Lyme! This annual event that takes over downtown Niantic typically draws about 35,000 people from all over the region eager to discover the many pleasures of what we can now proudly proclaim to be Connecticut's Number 1 Fan Favorite town!
The party starts on Friday, July 19, with a swing dance at East Lyme Public Library from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday July 19. Don't worry if you don't know how to dance. Lessons are offered 6:30-7:30 p.m. with a break for refreshments followed by the dance itself from 8 to 10 p.m. with a live band. Tickets are $15 per person and are on sale at the library.
The big day will be Saturday, July 20, and the fun starts early with a sandcastle competition at Hole in the Wall Beach. This is fun for the whole family and is hosted by East Lyme's Parks & Recreation Department. To participate, please contact Dave Putnam at dputnam@eltownhall.com to sign-up.The main event begins in the afternoon. Main Street and a section of Pennsylvania Avenue in Niantic will be open only to pedestrians from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be more than 200 vendors, special areas for children and teens, music and performance stages, and cooking demonstrations by local chefs.
Find out what's happening in The Lymeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This year also includes an art and author walk, which will give you the chance to see and hear the works of some of our most creative residents. There will also be a health and wellness walk, which offers everything from acupuncture to Zumba Demonstrations.
East Lyme Youth Services will have a teen area with a stage and battle of the bands showcasing some of East Lyme's talented youth at the Town Green. Local youth will also be raising money for charity with the People's Bank Dunk Tank, which inevitably puts our local elected officials in the hot seat to be cooled off with a splash.
Find out what's happening in The Lymeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Adults and kids alike can go treasure hunting. A 1/4 carat diamond is up for grabs! Anyone can come to the Care & Share booth and dig for a diamond. Northern Light Gems of New London and Niantic will be on hand to grade and inspect the stone you find to see if it's the real deal. The rock is worth $500!
This year the East Lyme Parks & Recreation Department will be sponsoring the third annual Great Niantic Bay Raft Race. Awards will be given to the winner of the race, as well as various awards for “Best Dressed Crew,” and “Best Looking Raft."
The grand finale is the fireworks display, created by East Lyme's own Tom Quinn, sponsored by Dominion, and overseen by the Fire Marshal's office and Niantic Fire Department.
If you'd like to volunteer to help make the day a success, please email Mike McDowell at eastlymeparks@gmail.com.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
