Passport To Sandy Hook, A Trip To Remember

By Eliza Hallabeck

Many passports were stamped in Sandy Hook this past Saturday, October 8, for the inaugural Passport To Sandy Hook event.

Music could be heard downstream at demitasse cafe as different bands played for eventgoers outside Katherine’s Kitchen on Church Hill Road and

At eateries — including Iron Bridge at 100 Church Hill, Stone River Grille, the Villa Restaurant, Ice Cream Heaven, demitasse, and Katherine’s Kitchen — doors were opened to diners and passport stamp collectors alike.

At Life’s A Peach, Sabrina Style, Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, Smoky Topaz, Wishing Well, Fun Kuts for the Whole Family, Genesis Hair Salon, Sandy Hook Hair Company, Fun Kids Consignments, Toy Tree, Colbert Photography, Ice Cream Heaven, PIS Laundromat, and the previously mentioned eateries, stamps could be collected while eventgoers browsed the individual businesses.

There were face painting opportunities at numerous locations, a bounce house for children, and a number a raffles.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company also had some of its members overseeing a Touch-A-Truck event for kids of all ages and answering questions about the department. Company members also helped with traffic control, collected the completed passports from event- goers, and collected donations for FAITH Food Pantry.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue member Steve Stohl said that participation was “pretty good” about midway through the event; toward the end of it, members of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue were preparing to bring a truckload of donations to FAITH Food Pantry.

Members of Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) planned the inaugural Passport To Sandy Hook festivities, which spanned the business district at the Church Hill Road-Washington Avenue-Riverside Road-Glen Road intersection. Passport to Sandy Hook ran from 11 am to 4 pm.

Live music was performed during the run of the event by John Voket, Crystal Pyramid, and The Screw-Ups, all of which donated their time.

A “flash mob” of performers from The Graceful Planet also offered entertainment during the day.

As eventgoers made their way from one business to another that were listed on the “passports” for the day, they worked their way to collecting all of the stamps. When all stamps were marked on a passport participants were eligible for a chance to win a prize package of gift certificates and items valued at more than $300.

Many businesses also handed out goods and coupons to visitors. Some locations — including Toy Tree, Iron Bridge at 100 Church Hill, and Smoky Topaz — also offered different raffles.

At Smoky Topaz owner Lari Freeman said the day offered a chance to people to mill around and discover stores like hers.

“I love this idea of coming into the store,” said Ms Freeman.

Inside Sandy Hook Hair Company, Liz Moroney said many people were coming inside to get pink feathers in their hair in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The store also offered pink lemonade and hair spraying outside its Church Hill building during the day.

“We had a lot of traffic today,” Ms Moroney said.

Vice President of SHOP and Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor owner Mike Kerler said the weather was perfect for the occasion.

“I thought the event was fantastic,” said Mr Kerler. “It was great to see all the families.”

SHOP President Mike Burton said it was great to have so many people come out to visit the Sandy Hook merchants and eateries.

“We hope they liked what they saw and plan on coming back,” said Mr Burton.

Katherine Pineau, owner of Katherine’s Kitchen, said the day offered something for everyone.

“That’s the beauty of Sandy Hook, that there is something for everyone to enjoy,” Ms Pineau said.

Newtown Savings Bank sponsored the event, and radio station i95 was broadcasting live for several hours during the day.

The event is one of many Sandy Hook events throughout the year. Other planned events are a Halloween Walk on October 29, and a Christmas Tree Lighting on December 3. Visit www.experienceSandyHook.com for more information on upcoming events.