Fine Arts Festival, Compo Celebration Kick Off Holiday Weekend

Two of Westport’s most popular spots — downtown and Compo Beach — were where the action was yesterday.

Between the 52nd annual Fine Arts Festival and the 2nd-ever Kickoff to Summer, there was something for everyone. First, the Fest:

Watercolors, oil paintings, woodworking, sculptures, photos — all those mediums and more are on display this weekend, on Main and Elm Streets, and nearby Church Lane.

In its half century, the Westport Downtown Association event has become one of the top shows in the nation. This year, it drew 165 artists. Over 40 are first-timers here. Seven are from Westport.

Popular local photographer John Videler is a first-time Fine Arts Festival exhibitor. He’s selling scenes of Westport, and much more.

The Fine Arts Festival includes family activities like face painting, crafts, games, and dancing and photo ops.

Crafts for kids.

It’s a real festival, with wine and beer for adults, food vendors, and music. The show continues today (Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) More information is available here.

The School of Rock rocks.

Here come (2 of) the judges: Miggs Burroughs and Sandy Pelletier.

Staples High School students show their work.

Dylan Curran and Captain Jillian Cabana keep everyone safe.

Westport photographer Nancy Breakstone, at her traditional spot near Anthropologie.

Music on the Main and Elm Streets corner. (All photos/Dan Woog)

The first arrivals: The view from Brooks Corner. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

Best in Show award winner: Kathryn Maher. She’s in Booth 18. (Photo/Brian Spurr)

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At the same time, dozens of families flocked to Compo Beach. “06880” intern Katherine Phelps reports:

Westport officially opened its brand-new, fully inclusive Compo Beach playground this week, in a very appropriate way: with children’s laughter.

The new play space’s inauguration was part of a day-long celebration sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, complete with bouncy houses, food trucks and games.

The new playground replaces the popular structure first built in 1989, then refurbished in 2006.

It has been reimagined with inclusivity, safety and community spirit in mind. It features modern equipment designed for children of all abilities, including sensory elements, accessible play zones, and “mommy-and-me” swings that promote connection and bonding.

2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore noted the intergenerational nature of the project as “a coordination of a lot of different groups.

“It wasn’t just the town. It was such a great community project. I worked on this 18 years ago, the last time it was rebuilt. Now it’s incredible to see a new generation of young Westporters volunteering.”

From classic swings and towering play structures to a pretend ice cream truck that kids could not get enough of, the new Compo playground is designed for everyone.

Courtney Kornblum, at the opening with her young daughter, was excited about the new playground.

“It’s pretty remarkable,” Kornblum said. “There’s a lot more for younger ages now. The mommy-and-me swings and the drums — it really brings people together. You look around, and everyone’s smiling.”

Beyond the equipment itself, the event was a celebration of the teamwork that went into the renovation. Volunteers of all ages participated in the build. Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, who was involved in the previous playground updates, was also part of this renovation.

“This playground has a lot of history for me,” he said. “I helped out when it was first built, and again in 2006. Last year, the Westport Rotary Club decided to make a major donation to the reconstruction. It was the perfect fit.”

Marpe noted that when he took his grandchildren to the previous structure, he felt as though something was just slightly off.

“I can’t wait to bring them now,” Marpe said. “There is just so much to do, and something for everyone. We wanted it to be as accessible as possible for every child to enjoy.”

Kids began enjoying it the moment the celebration ended.

And they will keep doing so until the next rebuild, a couple of decades from now.