More than 100 artisans to participate in annual festival

NEW MILFORD, Conn. — One of the summer’s popular events will soon be up and running downtown.

The Litchfield County Artisans Festival, a juried arts festival, will take place Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Village Green.

More than 100 craftspeople and artisans will come together on the iconic Green for the fifth annual event. It is the second major arts festival to be held there in two months.

Janet Wittmann, who, along with her husband, John, daughter, Denice Wittmann, and other family members, organizes the festival, said last year’s event was a success and they hope this year will be the same, if not better. 

She described the happiness that shines from patrons and vendors alike. “There are a lot of smiling faces walking around,” she said of past years.

In addition to artisan booths, the festival will feature El Taco, JK’s Pizza, and Fat Boys food trucks, craft foods, face painting, henna, and live music.

Fresh mozzarella, local honey and teas, goods by cottage bakers, fresh flowers and other items by local residents will be available to purchase.

Wittmann said “it’s amazing” to have so many interested artisans for the event that will mark its third year at this venue.

This year, artisans will showcase jewelry, woodwork, crochet, paintings, pottery, textiles, shells, resin work, pottery, and soaps and personal care, among other goods.

Lisa Bower Courtney of Terryville, who owns Smokebush Printworks, will return to the festival to show and sell her apparel and home good products using botanical contact printing. 

Happy to return to the festival after missing one year, Courtney said she appreciates the quality of and publicity for the event. “I’ve been involved with other [venues] and this is by far the best PR,” she said of this year’s marketing.

Courtney incorporates a 1920s wood cook stove in the process of printing goods with fresh flowers and leaves on fabrics. 

“It’s always a surprise,” she said of how the colors translate after going through the steaming process.

She not only uses pre-treated fabrics, but vintage fabrics, tablecloths, napkins, table runners, and scarves.

Courtesy of Smokebush Printworks/An assortment of apparel and home goods featuring botanical printings will be sold by Lisa Bower Courtney of Terryville at the festival.

Debbie Pirulli of Monroe will showcase her handmade jewelry, priced between $5 to $15 for all ages, for the third year.

Her works feature gemstones and glass, and some metals. All necklaces are on leather cords and all bracelets are on stretch material. Earrings round out her offerings.

“It’s always well attended and it’s a nice atmosphere,” she related of the festival's audience and picturesque venue. 

“Anytime there’s a green and a lot of community around it, it’s good,” she said.

She praised the festival as being one of her “favorites” among the approximate 30 she participates in annually. 

Courtesy of Designs by Debbie/Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are among the jewelry pieces Debbie Pirulli of Monroe will sell.

Gaylordsville resident Joseph Caverly of Doc Cav Woodworking related his appreciation for the opportunity to be a part of a community event such as this. “We try to do as many things on the Green that support the town because that has supported us and our small business we have.”

Caverly, who will return for the third time, said he enjoys customers who stop by his booth to say hi and mention how they own a piece of his work.

“It’s neat to see they’re enjoying something they purchased,” he said.

Organizers are known to take care to ensure no one medium is over-represented at the festival, giving everyone a balanced opportunity to present their work.

Many local artisans and crafters will participate, and some will travel from out-of-state.

“I could max out my credit card with no problem,” Wittmann quipped of the quality and style of the works that will be displayed and sold.

Live music at the bandstand will round out the activities. Blonde & Grey, Blonde & Grey, an acoustic do that performed that year will return to blend guitar, flute, and vocals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will be followed by Dean Snellback and the BluesyLand Band from 2 to 5 p.m.

Patrons are also invited to explore the many downtown shops and restaurants.

The festival is offered in partnership with the Town of New Milford.

Organizers said a donation from funds raised this year will benefit Camella’s Cupboard, which was honored last year along with the town’s fuel bank.

Two years ago, funds were donated for scholarships at the Village Center for the Arts.

Courtesy of Doc Can Woodworking/Handmade wood products like the one above are among the crafted items Joseph Cavarly will sell.