Members and supporters of SHOP (Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity) spent the weekend of April 13 sprucing up Sandy Hook Center and the banks of the Pootatuck River in anticipation of welcoming hundreds of community members and visitors for a Spring Fling Block Party on Saturday, April 27. Festivities will run from 11 am to 4:30 pm that day. 

“We’ve had a great group working together to make sure this is a family, fun-filled, feel-good event,” said activity co-chair Maribeth Hemingway. “We are hoping for a big turnout to help Sandy Hook.”

Mike Burton, president of SHOP, said the warmer weather is bringing a few more people out to area restaurants, but a number of other businesses are still missing out on the hundreds of people who came and went every day to the presently closed Sandy Hook School.

“This event is designed to show there is a lot of good and a lot of love going on in Sandy Hook,” Mr Burton said. “We’re not all about 12/14 — it’s not a defining moment — so we hope people will bring their friends and family and stop in on April 27 to see what we have to offer and help support these local merchants and neighbors.”

Mr Burton said SHOP is planning a series of events, about one per month, to help attract more traffic business back to the village shopping district centered around the intersection of Church Hill ROad, Washington Avenue, Riverside Road and Glen Road. He said the organization is in the final stages of seeking grant funding to help underwrite promotion and advertising.

On April 27, music will permeate Sandy Hook Center with two live bands, Dirty Sanchez and Wagon Wheel, donating their talents for the event. Many of the area businesses will be holding Spring Fling specials including:

*Sandy Hook Deli, with free hot dogs and Pepsi;

*Sabrina Style, hosting a spring sale;

*Fun Kuts and Fun Consignments, who will host a coloring contest and offer $5 hair feathers;

*PJ’s Laundromat, who will offer $3 off wash dry & fold service or coupons to use at a later date;

*Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, with a wine tasting;

*Unique Blessing, who will host their grand opening event with readings, healing, and other vendors;

*Iron Bridge, which will have a special Spring Menu featuring the seasonal Springtini;

*Country Mill, offering 10 percent off purchases;

*Wishing Well, 10 percent off for shoppers who mention “Spring Fling”;

*Toy Tree, which will host a raffle;

*The Villa Restaurant, offering a $5 special for two slices and a beer or soda;

*Figs, with event specials;

*The Hook, offering food samples;

*Sandy Hook Hair Co., with spring specials;

*Porco’s Karate Academy, offeringg karate demos;

*The SHACK, which will offer face painting, arts & crafts, and more.

Event co-chair Sharon Doherty, owner of PJs Laundromat, said she has been seeing a lot more activity, perking up the spirits of visitors slowly returning to hers and neighboring businesses.

“This is the first time we’ve had such a large event in the spring, and we hope to make it an annual thing,” she said. “Folks who may be planning to attend Earth Day activities at the middle school should either stop by before or after and make a day out of it seeing all the great things we have to offer.”

Residents can visit ExperienceSandyHook.com for a full list of upcoming activities and more information about SHOP.