NOTE (Tuesday, September 29, 2015): The photo caption accompanying this article has been updated to correctly reflect the name of Tanya Wulff Truaxx, the public relations director for Newtown Savings Bank.

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The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP), a group of local business owners and community members from Sandy Hook, will present the Fifth Annual Passport to Sandy Hook on Saturday, October 10, from 11 am to 4 pm.

Rain or shine, the area of Church Hill Road, Glen Road, Riverside Road and Washington Avenue will come alive with family-friendly activities and events at every corner. There will be fun activities for kids, a bouncy house, inflatable slide, arts and crafts, live music, dance performances, open houses, games, free food and refreshments, as well as discounts and samples offered by businesses within that area.

In addition, more than 25 merchants have contributed toward this year’s prize packages. To be eligible to win one of the three prize packages, valued at a combined total of more than $2,000, visitors must have their passports stamped at all 25 participating locations. Locations are within walking distance of the Church Hill-Glen-Riverside-Washington intersection.

Three winners will be drawn at the bandstand, which will be on the sidewalk in front of 102 Church Hill Road, at 4:15 pm. Winners need not be present.

SHOP Treasurer Sharon Doherty points out that Newtown’s oldest bank has been a supporter of SHOP and its Passport event since the fall event’s inception.

“We are so happy that Newtown Savings Bank is again donating a grand prize, and has signed on to be the Title Sponsor of this year’s Passport,” said Ms Doherty, who is also owner of PJ’s Laudromat in Sandy Hook.

NSB has donated the use of its suite at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport for the Ringling Bros. Circus on Thursday, October 20. The winner of that prize package will have 20 seats available for that evening’s 7 pm show. That donation will be combined, said Ms Doherty, with additional gift certificates from local restaurants and businesses to create a full night out for a family or group of friends.

Visitors are also reminded that Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue will be conducting a stuff-a-truck to benefit FAITH Food Pantry. Donations of nonperishable food, or monetary donations, will be collected at a fire truck that will be parked behind 102 Church Hill Road.

Members of the fire company will also be participating in Passport to Sandy Hook, with fire prevention materials to share with all ages and the opportunity for visitors to climb into one of the company’s trucks.

Special guests will include music from Unclaimed Baggage followed by One Level Down, the Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs, and Bocker the Labradoodle.

A full list of participating merchants and more information on the event will be available soon at sandyhookvillage.com.