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Recreation and Parks committee approves park permits for Pride, lacrosse jamboree, art festival and more
Summary
The committee unanimously authorized a series of park use agreements for summer events — including Pride in the Park, Norwalk Junior Lacrosse’s "Pound on the Sound," the Norwalk Art Festival and other annual ceremonies and festivals — after presenters described attendance estimates and operational plans.
The Norwalk Recreation and Parks Committee on a unanimous vote authorized a set of summer park use agreements, approving requests for Pride in the Park, Norwalk Junior Lacrosse’s "Pound on the Sound," the Norwalk Art Festival, the Fairfield County Dance Festival and the city’s annual memorial ceremony.
Shelby Williams, director of development for Triangle Community Center, told the committee Pride in the Park (Veterans Park, June 13, 2026; setup June 12, tear down June 14) has run for more than a decade and typically draws 5,000–10,000 attendees. Williams said the family-friendly festival will host roughly 65 community organizations, live entertainment headliners and detailed traffic and parking plans including police presence and shuttle partnerships.
Zad Manour, representing Norwalk Junior Lacrosse, described "Pound on the Sound" (May 30–31, 2026) as a seven-on-seven festival for kindergarten through fourth grade used as the program’s main fundraiser; Manour said the jamboree typically draws about 600 people per day and funds scholarships and equipment distribution for local youth.
Susan Brown Gordon described the Norwalk Art Festival in Matthews Park (June 20–21, 2026) as returning after construction, its 14th edition, with partners including the Center for Contemporary Printmaking and Lockwood-Mathews Mansion tours; she estimated about 400 attendees per day. Ted Thomas said the Fairfield County Dance Festival (July 23, 2026) will present a free, two-hour outdoor program featuring local and regional dance groups on a temporary stage.
Irene Dixon, the municipal veterans liaison, briefed the committee on the Sha/Shea McGrath memorial ceremony planned for May 17, 2026 at Calf Pasture Beach, an annual event held the weekend before Memorial Day to honor local Medal of Honor recipients.
Committee members repeatedly praised the events’ organization and parking plans; in each case the committee approved the mayor’s authorization to enter into the necessary agreements. The chair confirmed staff will finalize any setup/take-down times and coordinate public-safety staffing and vendor logistics.
Next steps: staff will finalize agreements with each organizer and provide any required permits or operating details to the committee if changes arise.
