If it’s a street festival you’re looking for, make sure you visit eastern Connecticut in time for Celebrate East Lyme. Think it sounds strange to plan your trip around one event? Think again! People from as far as California keep this one on their calendars. For one afternoon every July, Main Street in Niantic is packed.  They come for the community, the camaraderie, and most of all the fun and activities that abound from 3 – 9 p.m.

This year, the celebration happens on Saturday, July 17. If you’re here, you definitely need to come down and check it out.  This street is chock full of folks lined up to check out the unique vendors, the awesome food including live cooking demos, live music by local performers, the classic car show, and tons more.

Kids will be in heaven – their day can begin earlier with a sand castle competition on the beach and continue with a carnival, railroad rides, ice cream, a junior talent show and a huge favorite – raft races.  There is a  fireworks show right after the festival ends. People can watch from the beach or even out on the water, with their own boat or on a cruise specifically for the event.

Celebrate East Lyme is a really fun summer event that does an amazing job of bringing not-for-profit organizations together with local businesses. You’ll see everything from animal rescue group booths to dunk tanks raising money for the American Heart Association, to local artists selling jewelry and carts peddling souvenirs.

Most importantly, you’ll see a community. And that’s what keeps people coming back.

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