The Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc. invites Mansfield businesses, artists and crafters, community organizations, student clubs, sports teams, families, and individuals to join in the fun at its 20th Annual Celebrate Mansfield Festival!
This year’s community celebration will be Saturday, September 30 in Downtown Storrs.
There are a variety of ways to participate:
Activity Booths: A great opportunity for organizations to connect with community members; Cost: $25; Open to businesses and organizations located in Mansfield and UConn departments, programs, and student groups. Deadline to sign up: Friday, August 4. Learn more and sign up at downtownstorrsfestival.org/activities
Craft Booths: Crafters and artisans are invited to share their talents with our community as part of a juried craft show; Deadline to apply: Friday, August 4; Approved crafters, makers, and artists will be notified by Friday, August 11 and will pay a fee of $25. Find the application and more information at downtownstorrsfestival.org/crafts
Food Booths: A perfect option for restaurants to show off their specialty menu items or for community groups to raise money; Open to businesses and organizations located in Mansfield and UConn departments, programs, and student groups. Cost: $25; Deadline to sign up: Friday, August 4. More information can be found at downtownstorrsfestival.org/food
Community Art “Quilt” What do you love about Mansfield? Show us with your original art! Create your two-dimensional art on an 8.5”x11” piece of paper and submit it by noon on Friday, September 1 to be included in the “quilt.” Submissions can be dropped off at the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center (23 Royce Circle), Mansfield Community Center (10 S. Eagleville Road), or Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Road). The “quilt” will be on display at the Library Express in the Nash-Zimmer during the Festival. Open to all ages! Learn more at downtownstorrsfestival.org/artquilt
Scarecrow Decorating Contest: Decorate a scarecrow in a family-friendly theme of your choice! There is no fee to participate, but registration is required and space is limited. Open to businesses and organizations located in and residents living in Mansfield and UConn departments, programs, and student groups. See the full details and sign up by Friday, August 4 at downtownstorrsfestival.org/scarecrow.
Community Puppet-Building Workshop and Puppet Pageant: Together with the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, the Partnership will host free Community Puppet-Building Workshops during which participants will build larger-than-life puppets. Participants will perform with their creations during the Puppet Pageant, part of the main stage entertainment at the Festival. The workshops and pageant are free and open to all ages – no puppetry experience required! Dates and details to come at downtownstorrsfestival.org/puppets
Volunteer: There are opportunities throughout the day for individuals or groups to help make the Festival a success; Documentation of service is provided upon request. Learn more and sign up at downtownstorrsfestival.org/volunteers
The largest community event in Mansfield, the Festival is a day-long celebration of the people, businesses, and community organizations that make Mansfield a wonderful place to live and grow. This event is free and open to everyone to attend.
“We are thrilled to be hosting our 20th celebration of Mansfield!” said Partnership Executive Director Cynthia van Zelm. “This event is made possible and all the more special with the participation of hundreds of people, businesses, and organizations each year. We look forward to working with everyone to create a fun day for our whole community.”
The 20th Annual Celebrate Mansfield Festival will take place from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on and around Betsy Paterson Square (2 Dog Lane) in Downtown Storrs. In the event of inclement weather, the Festival will be held inside at E. O. Smith High School (1235 Storrs Road).
Follow @DowntownStorrs on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit downtownstorrsfestival.org for news and announcements as planning progress.