Group to Host Inaugural Passport to Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook business and property owners are hosting an inaugural Passport to Sandy Hook event during Columbus Day weekend to highlight all that their neighborhood has to offer.

The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity, a neighborhood group that has grown more active this year, is organizing the free event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat., Oct. 8 – coincidentally one day before the rescheduled Newtown Labor Day parade

"We are hoping it will only work in our favor," said Jill Kerler, one of the organizers.

Businesses in and around the district, which is centered around the intersection of Washington Avenue and Church Hill, Riverside and Glen roads, will be offering samples, free refreshments, Halloween treats and in some cases, discount coupons on that day, according to organizers.

Visitors also are invited to pick up a "Sandy Hook Passport," which will be stamped at each location visited. Fully stamped passports then can be entered into a drawing for a prize package of gift certificates and items valued at more than $1,300, organizers said.

"The passport will encourage everyone to go in and visit the different businesses," Kerler said.

Planning for the event began in the spring with a SHOP committee that began talking about holding a fall harvest street festival. The idea later evolved into a more modest event centered around the businesses in the heart of Sandy Hook, Kerler said.

"It's our first year and so we kind of wanted to take baby steps," she said.

SHOP already successfully organized last year's Christmas tree lighting and this year's Passport to Sandy Hook was meant to be a follow-up for the neighborhood group, which has begun meeting more regularly, posting agendas and keeping minutes, Kerler said.

The rain-or-shine event also will feature live music played by John Voket, Crystal Pyramid and The Screw-Ups, all of whom are donating their time. The festivities will additionally offer face painting, raffles, a bounce house and Sandy Hook fire trucks.

Attendees are asked to bring a donation for the FAITH food pantry. Parking will be behind the shops along Church Hill Road, 3-5 Glen Road and on Riverside Road, including at the fire house some distance away at 18-20 Riverside Road.

Newtown Savings Bank is sponsoring the event and the radio station, i95, will help promote the event and will be at the event for a couple of hours broadcasting.

"It's so awesome that everyone has come out to support us," Kerler said.

Correction: The prize packet is valued at more than $1,300, organizers said. Inaccurate information was provided, which went into an earlier version of this article.