New Town Family Fest comes to Williamsburg this weekend, the first of many events in the shopping district for the year.
The festival runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in Sullivan Square, and will feature face painting, petting zoo, pony rides and Lego building. Children can meet Smokey Bear, see a fire truck and get moving on the Fun Bus, a green school bus with gymnastics and other fitness activities inside.
Most events are free, and there will also be food and cupcake vendors.
Scott Grafton, owner of Iron-Bound Gym and one of the organizers through the New Town Business Association, said it was a happy coincidence Family Fest fell on the same date as Shop Local Day.
Grafton and Elaine Obie have been forces in the influx of activity at New Town this year. Family Fest joins a full roster of events, some new and others returning with strong momentum from last year.
Grafton said the response from businesses to get on board has been overwhelming. There are some backing one event, but 16 have chosen to sponsor the full slate of events for the year, which run through the fall.
Currently there are 53 members of the New Town Business Association. It is difficult to enlist national chains from the 162 stores in total, Grafton said, but the number is up from the 20s from last year.
With greater support, input and resources from businesses, the association has been able to branch out in their community offerings.
“We’re trying to hit all different facets so people know that New Town is versatile,” Grafton said.
In addition to the first iteration of New Town Music Fest with national country music group Highway 101 in July, the other new event on the docket is the New Town Chili Fest. Planned for Oct. 11, it will include unlimited tastings of local chili concoctions, with chef judges and guests choosing the winners. The event will benefit the Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels.
Successful programs are back for another round, such as Summer Fest scheduled for June 14. There will be a range of craft beers for sampling, plus a corn hole tournament.
“What’s been fascinating is we’ve had breweries calling us this year. … We must have done something right this year to have that happen,” Grafton said.
New for that event will be a VIP timeslot with extra time for tasting for those ticket-holders. Advance tickets are available now online.
The Chalk Fest will return for its third year Sept. 13.
New Town will also play host to two outside events: the Glow Run 5k and 1-mile Fun Run on June 13, and the Chalkapalooza 5k and 1-mile Fun Run set for Sep. 14. Local businesses are supporting the races with promotion and through certificate prizes.
For more information about upcoming events, visit the New Town website or Facebook page.
