Splashes of red and yellow autumn leaves clashed with colorful balloons decorating Sandy Hook Center on Saturday, October 10. Residents attending the Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity’s (SHOP) Fifth Annual Passport to Sandy Hook found a live band playing on the sidewalk, children’s activities, visits with therapy dogs, and more.

Promotion for the event welcomed visitors to “have fun and explore the village.” Parents and children, and many pets strolled through the center of Sandy Hook that afternoon to visit the more than 25 merchants who had contributed toward this year’s prize packages, awarded that same afternoon. To be eligible to win one of three packages, visitors needed to have their passports stamped at all 25 locations — all were within walking distance along the Church Hill, Glen, and Riverside Roads and Washington Avenue.

The day’s winners were Felicia Remchuk, Mary Clarke, and Martin Erazo.

One Level Down — a group of local musicians — played familiar songs for guests including Necole Salvesen and Priscilla Hein, seated outside of Sandy Hook Deli & Catering. The two sipped coffee, taking a break from visiting downtown businesses.

Others gathered on the patio at Cover Two Sports Bar & Grill to listen to the band. Nearby, Foundry Kitchen & Tavern staff greeted walkers, while across the street was a tent set out by Holmes Fine Gardens offering information and pictures of the company’s landscaping work.

Christine Ruzec from Labels + Tags, also on Glen Road, walked through the crowd and stopped in at Village Perk Café for a coffee.

“It’s such a beautiful day,” she said. Also laughing and enjoying a mild autumn day were Debbie Aurelia Halstead and Deb Moran, playing with Rocko, a small terrier and the unofficial Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company Ladies Auxiliary mascot.

The company’s ladies auxiliary members and volunteers helped collect food for the FAITH Food Pantry that afternoon. The table was set up facing the entrance to PJ’s Laundromat.