NAUGATUCK — Painters, musicians and actors will converge on the Naugatuck Green to celebrate the arts Aug. 22 for the 5th annual All Arts Festival.
“We are trying to incorporate all the arts we can. We believe arts are important to Naugatuck and part of the fabric community,” Naugatuck Arts Commission member Charles Marenghi said.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. It will feature activities, such as chalk the walk, an instrument petting zoo, which allows children to try different instruments, and a pARTicipate tent, which allows children to create art.
“[Children] don’t have to just look at art, but get can get their hands dirty and create their own art,” Marenghi said of the pARTicipate tent.
The festival will also feature music throughout the day.
A variety of cultural performances, including music and dance, will be presented from the start of the festival until 5 p.m. Between noon and 4 p.m. the festival will offer an open mic to anyone who wants to participate. In addition, Marenghi said, if a singer shows up with sheet music, there will be a local band there to provide backup music.
“It will give people a chance to front their own band,” Marenghi said.
The Hartford-based rock band Addison Station will close out the festival with a performance from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
The festival will also showcase the dramatic arts for the first time this year. Marenghi said the Naugatuck Teen Theater will put on performances and offer interactive opportunities for children.
Festival goers will also find local artists selling their pieces, and food will be available throughout the event.
Arts Commission Chairman Frank Alcorace said the commission tries to ensure there is a variety of artistic offerings by only allowing one vendor for each specific type of art. In addition, he said, all the artists have to sell items created by them.
Marenghi said the festival is also a way to showcase downtown.
“It shows there is a lot going on in Naugatuck that people don’t know about,” Marenghi said. “People can’t deny the importance of having fairs and concerts on the town Green. It gets people downtown.”
Marenghi said the festival offers families a good opportunity to come downtown and experience what is going on in the borough’s arts world.
“It’s going to be a good experience for folks,” Marenghi said. “It will be a nice time to come to town Green and wrap up summer vacation before heading back to school.”
