HAPPENINGS

What’s happening in Waterbury in 2023?

February-

• Winter is the Pits- February 11th- 11 AM -5 PM- Free winter festival at the Stone House Pavilion in Hamilton Park. There will be a horse and carriage ride, 12 cozy fire pits, a large community bonfire, marshmallow toasting for S’mores, ice sculpting, music, games, food and drink available for purchase including food trucks and a mobile pub.

May-

• Memorial Day Parade (date TBA)Downtown Waterbury

July

• Waterbury Food truck and Firework Extravaganza- July 2- 3 PM- 11 PMBrass Mill Center

August

• Brass City Jazz Fest- (TBA) Main Street Waterbury, an affiliate of the Waterbury Regional Chamber, and ACT Jams Productions will present the 2023 Brass City Jazz Fest in August at Library Park in downtown Waterbury. The free outdoor eventfeatures a host of acclaimed recording artists. Last year the #1 Billboard Charting saxophonist Paul Taylor, world-renowned jazz bassist David Dyson, performed with Unit 3 Deep featuring internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Lori Williams, To learn more about sponsorship, contact Chris Caulfield at 203-757-0701 or email Chris Caulfield ccaulfiel@waterburychamber.com For more information, visit: www.brasscityjazzfest.com, email Al Taylor at altaylor@brasscityjazzfest. com, or call Main Street Waterbury at 203-757-0701.

• 2nd Annual Bombazo and Barrio Arts Fest- Sat Aug 12 at 10:00 am- Silas Bronson Library Front Lawn- Puerto Rican folklore music festival with organizations/info vendors, and art vendors and food trucks. The highlight will be the BOMBAZO and the dancing/ drumming from the community.

• SoulFest -(TBA) Over the past 9 years, The Ungroup Society’s Spirit of Unity Arts and Music Festival (*SOUFEST*) has been bringing the best in R&B and Hip Hop music performances to Waterbury CT. Last year’s event was staged at Lakewood Park, 129 Lakewood Road Waterbury, CT.

September

• Waterbury Ole Skool Cookout- (Usually held on Labor day Weekend)Lakewood Park, Waterbury- This event

On began as a small gathering among friends and has blossomed into an annual event that brings people from near and far to celebrate Waterbury roots. This year marks the 19th consecutive year this event will be held.

• Brass City Brew and ‘Que- September 9th- 1-5 PM- Grand Street at Library Park- One of the Largest brew fests in New England, with over 200 varieties of craft and specialty brews, as well as international and domestic beers. A must for any beer-aficionado.

• The Gathering- September 16thLibrary Park- After a three year break during the COVID pandemic, The Gathering returns to downtopwn Waterbury. The event begins with an enormus cultural parade showcasing dozens of ethnic groups in full costume, marching bands and floats. This will be the 8th festival, which has been described as the most cultually diverse festival on the east Coast with 112 countries represented in some form at the last event. This is a community celebration of diversity, and Waterbury comes together to share music, food and dance from around the world. Contact waterburygathering@gmail.com

October Mardi Gross at the Silas Bronson Library

November/December-

• City of Waterbury Christmas Tree lighting on the Waterbury Green- The Sunday following Thanksgiving if weather permits- Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing holiday carols, enjoy hot chocolate and popcorn balls and much more holiday festivities.

• Upcoming cultural festivals (dates TBA)- Albanian festivals, Waterbury Greek Festival, and Lebanese festival. Check their websites to find out more information throughout the year.

Check out these local cultural venues for upcoming 2023 events:

• The Mattatuck Museum- 144 W Main St, Waterbury, CT 06702- The museum is an art and regional history museum on the Green in downtown Waterbury. The museum collects and exhibits American art and cultural artifacts, with a focus on local history. www.mattmuseum.org

• Waterbury Symphony Orchestrawww.waterburysymphony.org

Some fun seasonal family fun activities:

Apple Picking:

Rogers Orchards- Southington, CT

Bishop Farm- Cheshire, CT March Farm- Bethlehem, CT

Pumpkin Picking and Hay Rides: Rogers Orchards- Southington, CT

Lyman Orchards- Middlefield, CT Castle Hill Farm- Newtown CT March Farm- Bethlehem, CT Bunnell Farm- Litchfield, CT

Ron.Napoli@cga.ct.gov