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The festival, as it has been planned, is expected to be an exuberant "next step" in helping to make downtown New Milford a real cultural hub-for specialty retail, dining and entertainment-drawing not only those who live in the community but visitors from near and far as well.
"We want to put New Milford on the map," said Jayson Roberts, the president of the Village Center Organization and co-owner of Village Center for the Arts, one of the festival participants, regarding the increased focus among municipal government and local businesses and organizations to promote what is available downtown. "We need New Milford to become a destination-not just once in a while either, but a place people will want to go to often for something to do," Mr. Roberts said in a recent interview. "We want to be on their calendar."
This message has been promoted for quite some time by the town's Economic Development Commission, whose aims are to bring new businesses and industry to town, help established firms not only to remain but also grow, and support efforts to preserve the town's resources and unique character.
"It's necessary to the local economy to keep the downtown vital," said Tom Pilla, a local developer, in a recent interview. "It's not going to be a business hub, [and] the downtown economy doesn't provide for high-end retail space," so "we need to promote it and encourage it to grow otherwise."
He added, "Our downtown is what it is. It's never going to be a metropolis of high-rises, and because our zoning regulations have allowed office use in residential areas, there's a limited demand for office space downtown."
So what else can keep it alive, continued Mr. Pilla, but "what we have there now-specialty shops, restaurants and entertainment."
The annual Village Fair Days, sponsored by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce each August, brings thousands of people to the Village Green-and, to a lesser extent, to businesses along the Green and down Bank and on Railroad streets one weekend a year.
Even this summer, after a severe downturn in the economy, the Fair Days was a big success, said Bill Babbino, the president of the chamber board. "It was right on target, almost exactly the same-probably even better because expenses went up since last year."
The next major draw this year was A Taste of New Milford, an event co-sponsored by Nicholas/Tobin & Associates, Northeast Tent Productions and Best Sanitation in conjunction with the New Milford chamber. Held early last month, it showcased local eateries, catering services and food purveyors in the downtown area as well as other parts of town and neighboring communities.
Once again, the crowds came to the Village Green, and people were specifically encouraged to visit local businesses in the area as well, which were participating in the event in their own ways.
"People were interested in talking to the vendors, and a lot of people understood that businesses were staying open later in the downtown area and walked around. It was a fantastic experience," said Richard Herrington, the president of Nicholas/Tobin, who was particularly enthusiastic about having the event be inclusionary. "They made an evening of it-that's what we were hoping for."
Denise Del Mastro, the executive director of the New Milford chamber, said the feedback was "fabulous" from both participants and visitors alike, noting that the picturesque setting and "great weather" contributed to the pleasurable atmosphere.
To a lesser extent, the town's Fourth of July celebration kicks off the annual entertainment offered in downtown New Milford. Its excitement spills up through the downtown area toward the Green from Young's Field, where the fireworks display lights up the night sky. The town's annual summer concert series, which offers a variety of music throughout the season, also beckons residents and visitors to come to the center of town, look around, find a place to sit and stay awhile.
This Sunday's Bank Street Festival is the next chapter in the invitation to downtown New Milford.
It will kick off at noon with the launching of a new Tractor Mac book by Roxbury's Billy Steers-"Farmer's Market," created by Mr. Steers and the co-founders of Plow to Plate, a local, and nationally acclaimed, grassroots initiative supported by New Milford Hospital that supports the efforts of local farmers and promotes the use of fresh local produce for a healthy lifestyle. The community cooperative venture is overseen by co-founders Marydale DeBor, the vice president of external affairs at the hospital; coordinating chef Anne Gallagher; and medical adviser Diane D'Isidori, M.D., a local pediatrician. Plow to Plate has a presence at the Farmers Market on the New Milford Green each Saturday.
Ms. DeBor said they were very excited to launch "Farmers Market," which brings to everyone "the good message of healthy food and why we need to eat it." Mr. Steers will be on hand to sign copies of the book, and the proceeds will go toward Plow to Plate's Youth Chef Advocates program.
In addition, Plow to Plate will sponsor a showing of the movie "Fresh," at the Bank Street Theatre, which will be followed by a panel discussion at the movie theater.
From noon to 3 p.m., Youth Chef Advocates will serve pumpkin soup and muffins, and there will be a book-signing and sale of "Big, Strong and Healthy on Nutmeg Farm" and produce available at a Sullivan Farm-sponsored stand.
From noon to 5 p.m., there will be face-painting, a craft area, a "Giving Art a Hand" mural painting, and fine art painting sponsored by Village Center for the Arts; Skin Deep Ink will offer fake tattoos; Joe's Salon and Spa will offer paraffin hand massages and hair and makeup consultations along with five-minute makeovers; and Sassy Shoe & Company will host a "Pink Jewelry Event" to benefit breast cancer awareness.
There will be a variety of musical offerings from 1 to 5 p.m., including music by Don Lowe, and FineLine dancers will perform along the street.
From 3:30 to 5 p.m. there will be a special performance by dancer Elizabeth Parkinson (who has performed on Broadway and with Twyla Tharp and the Joffrey Ballet) and the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, as well as mural painting by Veronica Swain, a local artist, at Homeward Bound.
Also, at 1 p.m. a walk will kick off to view the Hidden Treasures dog park site, and at 2:30 p.m. a Strut-Your-Mutt Dog Pageant will be held, with prizes donated by the Barkery Boo-tique.
The organizers noted that local restaurants, including 59 Bank, Lucia, La Piccolina and Tivoli, will offer special menus and pricing.
There will be many free raffles and prizes, including a head-to-toe makeover from Joe's Salon and Spa, Sassy Shoe, Homeward Bound and Swank on Bank; an unlimited one-year pass to Bank Street Theater for one individual; a $100 gift certificate for Swank on Bank; an Art Immersion Retreat Weekend, led by artist Pamela Hochstetter, with meals and lodging at Heritage Inn, and more.
The festival is sponsored by The Spectrum, Union Savings Bank and KatArt Graphics, and co-sponsored by the businesses already mentioned in this story.
Participants will also include Bank Street Coffee House, The Book Nook, Focal Point, Archway News, New Milford Music Center, Play, Colonial Photo, Raveis Realty, Housatonic Publications, Morton's Jewelers, The Good Sport, TheatreWorks, Gregory James Gallery and Nordica.
