Downtown Torrington, CT was full of vibrant energy on Saturday, August 14 for the first annual Litchfield Hills Creative Festival!

The Warner Theatre Stage Co. performing "The Stinky Cheese Man."

From left: Ryan DuBois at his booth; Rock Yer Block & Oddball Newt Productions; Mark Rich in his studio.

Rock Yer Block kicked off the busking aspect of the event with a bagpipe performance and march down Main Street, while artist vendors opened their booths for the Franklin Plaza Art Fair. Various artists in the downtown area also opened their studios for visitors to explore.

Franklin Plaza Art Fair

There were over 110+ artists involved in the production and coordination of the Creative Festival including all of the vendors, open studio artists, performers, musicians, and cultural leaders. 

From left: Five Points Gallery activity participants; Five Points Gallery activity closeup; Author Aerin Bergheart at Torrington Library; Authors Patty Martin and Jack Sheedy at Torrington Library.

Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory

During the day, Five Points Gallery provided a mini printmaking activity on the sidewalk for passersby. Across the street, families and children made discoveries at KidsPlay Children's Museum. The Torrington Library hosted a book sale, local author talks/book signings, and free craft giveaways in the early afternoon. The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory was open for tours, rehearsal observations, and offered free ballet and movement appreciation classes for both children and adults.

Corey Glover of Living Colour & Friends performing at Coe Memorial Park.

Meanwhile at Coe Memorial Park, Matica Circus and Thrive Movement Studio students performed on stilts and an aerial rig. The Main Stage included live performances by Donovan Darnell, Mike Cobb, Brian Mattiello, The Right Offs, The Red Hots, Joey Wit and the Definition, and headliner Corey Glover of Living Colour & Friends.

From left: Thrive Movement Studio aerial performance; Audience at Coe Park; Corey Glover

The celebration ended with an astonishing performance by Corey Glover and his immensely talented band mates. They performed many dance-able groove-rock originals and a cover of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" just as the sun set behind the stage. Then of course, the set ended with the classic "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour. Nearly everyone was on their feet, singing along with a smile.

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Visit us on Facebook to see more pictures from the Litchfield Hills Creative Festival.

More articles about the Litchfield Hills Creative Festival:

Winsted Phoenix - Residents all dare to be different at first ever arts festival (PHOTOS AND VIDEOS)

Register Citizen - In photos: Litchfield Hills Creative Festival: Register Citizen

Mental Health CT - Mending Art Joined Litchfield Hills Creative Festival

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Special thanks to the following organizations for sponsoring the first annual Litchfield Hills Creative Festival:

Torrington Savings Bank

The Matthews Group

Torrington Downtown Partners

Media Sponsors:

Republican-American
WSHU Radio Station

Main Stage Sponsors:

Warner Theatre

Red Room Sound Studio

Flying Key Entertainment LLC

Cook Funeral Homes

AKC Fund

Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation Building Healthier Communities Fund

Sound provided by Orangetruck Audio and sponsored by:

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital

Eyes on Litchfield -Tommasina Pasqua Sideris

Litchfield Dental Associates - Dr. Steven Sideris

McCall Center for Behavioral Health

Flying Key Entertainment, LLC

Red Room Sound Studio