Beautiful Downtown Niantic To Open Up For 'Celebrate East Lyme Day'

One of the town’s signature seasonal events, Celebrate East Lyme, officially kicks off at 3 p.m., Saturday, July 21.

The 12th annual festival celebrates all things East Lyme, from its beaches to Main Street and beyond.

The festival unofficially begins at 9 a.m. with a sand castle contest at the Hole in Wall Beach and ends with a fireworks display at 9 p.m., over Niantic Bay.

Celebrate East Lyme draws about 35,000 people to a one-mile stretch of Main Street through Niantic, where some 200 vendors, selling everything from strawberry shortcake to jewelry.

“Celebrate East Lyme is coordinated by Shoreline Scoop owner Heather Caulkins, the Town of East Lyme, its citizens, and the East Lyme Business Community as a way to recognize and promote the many businesses, community groups and artisans who live here, all while enjoying an old-fashioned summer festival by the sea. The event could not happen without the hard work, energy and enthusiasm of the Town's staff,” the website set up for the festival says.

There will be special events for children and teens, music and stage performances, cooking demonstrations by local chefs and a first-ever StrawberryFest.

Organizers will also host an “art & author” walk.

Some of the scheduled events include:

• 9 a.m. - Sand Castle Competition at Hole in the Wall Beach
• 3 p.m. - Kick Off CEL 2012
• 5 p.m. - Dunk First Selectman Paul Formica on the Town Green to benefit the American Heart Association
• 5:30-7 p.m. - Meet Ronald McDonald at the Children's Area in the McDonald's interactive tent
• 7 p.m. - Great Niantic Bay Raft Races at Hole in the Wall Beach
• 9 p.m. – Fireworks Display over Niantic Bay

According to the group’s website, special events will include:

Sand Castle Competition

Taking place at Hole in the Wall Beach, this is a popular event for children and families, and is hosted by East Lyme's Parks & Recreation Department.  To participate, please contact Dave Putnam directly via email, dputnam@eltownhall.com to sign-up.

Local Art & Author Walk

Celebrate East Lyme presents an excellent opportunity to sample the works of area artists and authors. Artists will display and some will demonstrate their work through the day. Visitors can also meet local authors from a variety of genres, and purchase autographed copies of their books. Some of the authors will do short readings from their works as well.

Children's Area

Complete with a Rock Climbing Wall, hands-on activities, face painting, bubbles, caricatures and much more.  McDonald's will be set up with their interactive tent, lots of give-a-ways and a special appearance by Ronald McDonald.

East Lyme Business Organization/Children's Museum of SECT Scavenger Hunt

Sponsored by the Children's Museum of Southeastern CT and ELBO. Test your knowledge of the Downtown area, follow the map and win great prizes from your local business community and the Children's Museum of SECT!

Teen Area

The Teen Area will be hosted by East Lyme Youth Services, and will include a Dunking Booth sponsored by People's Bank. Stop by the Town Green at 5pm and find our First Selectman, Paul Formica keeping it cool for charity in the dunk tank!  You cannot miss the chance to dunk him for a great local cause!

There will be a music stage featuring the talents of local high school students throughout the afternoon, including the ever-popular Battle of the Bands.

Diamond Dig at the Care & Share booth sponsored by Northern Light Gems

There is a 1/4 carat diamond up for grabs with this event. Anyone can come to the Care & Share booth and dig for a diamond. Northern Light Gems of Mystic & Niantic will be on hand to grade & inspect the stone you find to see if the real 1/4 carat diamond valued at over $500.

Niantic Bay Raft Races

Celebrate East Lyme is going old school this year and will bring back the traditional raft races on the bay.  Sponsored by SignCraft Signs. Johnny the DJ will play tunes along the park banks close to Hole in the wall Beach.