Southington Cops To Up Security After Teen Stabbed At Festival

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Police Monday said to expect a stronger security presence at the Southington Apple Harvest Festival after a stabbing incident over the weekend.

A 17-year-old has been charged in connection with what was described as a large gathering that turned violent. Police said the altercation took place at about 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the Apple Harvest Festival — in front of town hall. A 16-year-old wound up being stabbed in the melee, police said.

Since it took place near the festival's medical tent, the 16-year-old was cared for quickly, police said. The 16-year-old was stabbed in the lower right abdomen and was listed in stable condition after being taken to an area hospital, police said.

A folding knife was recovered at the scene and the 17-year-old was charged with second-degree breach of peace.

More charges could follow, police said.

Police said they believe the incident was an isolated one involving local youths, but the Southington Apple Harvest Committee and town officials, working in conjunction with police, vowed to have an increased presence next weekend. That includes officers directing traffic, on bike patrols in cruisers and on motorcycles and stationed at crosswalks and at access points.

The Southington Apple Harvest Festival is a six-day event that takes place over the course of two weekends each Fall. This annual event is one of the largest and longest running festivals in the Northeast and typically draws a crowd of more than 100,000 people. The fair began last weekend and continues on Oct. 8 to 10.