#Middlebury
This photo, taken from the Weise Choice Tree Services bucket truck by Shawn Cheney, shows an overview of Celebrate Middlebury. The bottom row of tents housed local restaurants serving samples of their fare, and the tents on the bottom far right held tables and chairs where people could eat comfortably. (Photo courtesy Weise Choice Tree Services)
The weather forecast for the second annual “Celebrate Middlebury” event on Saturday, Oct. 14, was questionable for a while, but the rains held off and a crowd of approximately 1,000 people turned out to enjoy this Middlebury Park and Recreation Department event at Shepardson Community Center during an unseasonably warm and mostly sunny fall day.
For the first time, local restaurants were set up in “restaurant row,” where they offered dishes off their menus. In the row were Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Meet Me Here Restaurant, Kitchen 64, Center Street Kitchen, Dinova’s Four Corners Deli, Pies and Pints and Middlebury Consignment Candy Shoppe. Nearby, a row of canopy-covered tables and chairs provided comfortable seating where people could enjoy their food.
Fifty local businesses and crafters set up booths where they sold jewelry, art work, knitted items, pet food and more. The Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary offered tag sale items in their booth.
An event like this wouldn’t be complete without a fire truck for the kids, and the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department obliged by bringing a truck for the kids. Kids also enjoyed free face painting by “Put on a Happy Face,” a karate demonstration by Middlebury Martial Arts and performances by Brass City Ballet.
The event was broadcast live by WATR radio, and continuous music was provided by the local band “Rock Republic” and DJ Joel Lee of Backstreet Entertainment.
This newspaper had drawings for two gifts, one a free annual subscription mailed first class to the winner, the other a free color ad in the newspaper. Jennie Bayse of Watertown won the subscription, and Dr. Massimo Verardo of Middlebury Chiropractic and Wellness Center won the free ad.
Financial sponsors of the event included Middlebury Consignment, The Albini Family Funeral Home, Edgewood Bath and Tennis Club, and Master Security.
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