Ansonia Harvest Festival Happening Sept. 29

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

jean.sos@snet.net
@nhrvalley on Twitter

ANSONIA >> Organizers of this year’s Ansonia Harvest Festival have “pulled out all the stops” to usher in the fall season this weekend with plenty of food, festivities and family fun.

The 18^th annual festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (SEPT. 29) in downtown. This year’s event is sponsored by Road Ready Used Cars, and is free and open to the public.

Event Coordinator Rich DiCarlo said the Ansonia Cultural Commission has been working hard to ensure this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever.

“Every now and then we have to change things up to keep it fresh and new,” said DiCarlo.

In addition to dozens of food and craft vendors lining Main Street, offering the likes of fried dough and fried chicken to BBQ and Spanish cuisine, DiCarlo said this year’s festival will highlight what makes Ansonia special.

The city’s Fire House Museum will be on display with antique fire apparatus and engines, along with antique autos and tractors. The Valley Arts Council will be previewing some art in front of the site that will house their new “Main Street” Gallery this fall. 

There will also be hay rides, pony and horse rides, a petting zoo, a kid’s zone, face painting, henna temporary tattoos and more.

Live music will also be featured all day long featuring Southern Voices, Sumo Side Car, Survivor Swing Band and a Magic show by Pete n' Chris! 

“Harvey” the festival mascot will also be on hand, and joined this year by the Connecticut Siren girls who’ll be dressed like scarecrows and strolling Main Street for photo opportunities.

Also new this year is a pie baking and pie eating contest, both sponsored by Eddy’s Bake Shop. The pie eating contest will be held at Eddy’s at 2 p.m.

DiCarlo said there is plenty of free parking adjacent to Main Street, and “the weatherman is calling for a beautiful sunny autumn day.”

Mayor David Cassetti is looking forward to the annual event.

“The Harvest Festival is a long-standing Ansonia tradition,” Cassetti said. “I am very excited about it because in addition to bringing the community together and building on the strong ties we all have in the Valley, this event helps to showcase our businesses and restaurants. We are very proud of our recharged downtown and this is a great event to showcase that.”