Chambers of commerce in Darien, New Canaan and Greenwich are all holding “Sidewalk Sales Days” in their downtowns on the same weekend, and the Downtown Westport Merchants Association is holding its annual Arts Festival on the same weekend.
Since these are all multi-day affairs, you could attend all four on different days, if you want to. Just remember to keep hydrated and wear sun block lotion (bug spray and a hat wouldn’t be a bad idea, either).
Here’s a quick description of each. For more information, click on the headings, which link to more information:
Darien Sidewalk Sales and Family Fun Days
Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Shoppers of all ages will find bargains under the tents and inside shops on the Post Road, in Goodwives, and Noroton Heights shopping centers. Merchants have announced sales of up to 75% off.
Picture from Darien Chamber of Commerce
Free Activities for any age include: Frozen treats, Balloon creations, Face painting, Caricatures and Bands playing Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Look out on Saturday for the Collectable Car Show on Day Street and behind 1001 Post Road.
In addition, families can enter the “Where’s Waldo” promotional event headquartered at Barrett Bookstore, enter the Treasure Hunt involving free prizes with participating merchants and a Gumball Guessing Contest — stop by the Chamber Tent to learn more. For quick access to the schedule go to the Darien Chamber website.
The Darien Y has an interesting offer (and they’ll give you a water bottle):
If you stop by the Darien YMCA table at the Darien Sidewalk Sales event, they’ve got an offer for you (and free water).
Greenwich Sidewalk Sales
Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The annual event, featuring over 120 retail stes, attracts hundreds of shoppers to Greenwich Avenue and the nearby streets in downtown Greenwich to find savings.
Here’s a lot more information about specific store offerings, a list of stores, where to park and more.
New Canaan Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale
Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bargains, food, music, and family friendly entertainment! The event always offers many family friendly activities, with merchants showcasing products and services.
Some merchant’s have specifically ordered their customers’ favorite items to be sold at discounted prices exclusively during the Sidewalk Sale.
There are 110 vendors participating in the two-day event.
Westport Fine Arts Festival
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The arts-themed event includes over 170 artist booths, offerings from restaurants in town and activities for kids.
Among the restaurants: Ni, Jeera Thai, Skinny Pines Wood Fired Catering, El Segundo and M.O.C. Eatery, a food truck offering locally sourced pub style sandwiches and salads.
New this year is a focus on family art activities and the hands-on aspect of creating art. Several booths will allow guests of all ages to express themselves through many free, immersive art activities.
The Kids and Family Zone, centrally located in Brooks Corner Plaza, will provide free materials and instructor lead projects such as mask making by Jerry’s Artarama, and an exciting variety of offerings from The Artist Collective of Westport that include Seashell Art and Make Your Own Logo.
There will also be freestyle expression with Chalk The Walk and Paint-A-Piano donated by the Suzuki Music School of Westport, alongside balloon art by Gault Family Companies and complimentary face painting.
Westport Library’s huge Summer Book Sale also starts on Saturday, July 14 (at 9 a.m. with the running of the bargain hunters) and runs through 1 p.m., Tuesday, when the flood of books winds down to a trickle.
Editor’s note: This article originally was published July 12. The time stamp on this article has been changed to put the link higher on the home page.