Third Thursday in Willimantic

We’re thrilled to be celebrating 20 Years of the 3rd Thursday Street Fest in Willimantic!  On May 18th from 6-9 pm on historic Main Street, we will have over 80 vendors featuring exceptional local art, local products, 20 food vendors, and so much music.  The gorgeous weather is upon us after a gray winter- so join us outside to relish in the nostalgia of 20 years, enjoy time spent supporting your community, and experience the new surprises we have in store for you!

 

This month we have a ton of fun things to see and do.

 

In Uptown, great sounds and great flavor come together. At the musical stage thanks to Eminence Ink, will be hosting GOZA at 6:15, with lively songs and dance rhythms from Brazil, Spain and Latin America featuring guitar, sax, violin, latin percussion and beautiful, romantic vocals.  Return to the uptown stage at 7:15 for beautiful, relaxing and refreshing classical guitar from the Quiet Corner. A few vendors cooking up some tasty flavors include Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican and fried dough from First Congregational Church.  Also shop around beautiful crafts from vendors like Knotty Jewels by Kurt’s Mom with one of a kind and original designs for every occasion and Nonna’s Handcrafted Soap for something to make you smell super. This year in uptown we will be joined by BOTL Farms and Eastford Farms, offering their amazing products to fill your fridge with local products!

 

Then stroll through MidTown to see Bruce John with Dinosaurs After Dark at 6:00pm followed by Sweet Magic Legendary Classic Rock at 7:45 PM @ the Midtown Stage. It’s perfectly paired with Fine Fettle right in front of the beer garden to learn more about Connecticut’s locally owned cannabis retailer. A big thanks to Willibrew for donating every single month every year to support us and you! Bring your appetite to the Bank Street Food Court with tasty menus from Tony’s Pizza, Soulfully Vegan, Red Lion Burger, BBQ, Mexican, Puerto Rican and more!  MidTown hosts a bunch of great vendors and young crafters such as T-Shirts with a Purpose, The Enlightened Empress, and Throwing Prisms Suncatchers.  Make sure to stop in the new studio Spiral Arts for ceramic gifts and a schedule of classes and for clothing, cards, and more jewelry pop into the Bench Shop!

 

Downtown, music will bring you back with Mischief, a 5 piece High Energy Dance/Rock band specializing in 80 danceable music at 6:00 PM @ the Downtown Stage. Keep that time machine rolling into the 90’s and rock out with Dumb Love at 7:45 PM bringing you alternative hits from Soundgarden, Sponge, Alice In Chains, and more. Nearby you can curb your cravings with ice cream from Ra Ra’s, comfort street food from Jayy’s Little Red Trailer and a fusion of flavors from Chow LLC.

 

Come early and find ample free parking at Jillson Square and across the street as well as nearby on street parking. Free to attend. If you have space to volunteer please reach out as we always need you… info@willimanticstreetfest.com. Visit willimanticstreetfest.com for the full schedule of entertainment and vendors and stop by the info booth for a brochure on the layout and the locations of the many fun children’s activities.. Thank you again to the Leo J & Rose Pageau Trust for their generous sponsorships this season, Berkshire bank for allowing us to use their space every year for the Midtown excitement and all of you that contributed to the success of this fest for the last 20 years. We endlessly appreciate your love, support, and efforts to make this an exciting, safe, and inspirational fest each year!

 

Thank you to the Town of Windham for their support in conjunction with the guidance of the local Willimantic Police Department and Willimantic Fire Department and Public Works, this would not be possible. Our deepest thank you as a community to all these folks.

 

See you this Thursday at the fest.

It is now time to put out your lawn signs and get excited!