Cultural Commission grants $4,000 to Living Traditions for two-day 'Day of Danbury' celebration

The Danbury Cultural Commission voted April 27 to award $4,000 to Living Traditions to support a two-day Day of Danbury celebration and an associated documentary project.

Brittany Mortera, managing member of Living Traditions, described the project as a multigenerational festival on Ives Street Green with vendors, food trucks and a documentary premiere at the Palace Theatre Danbury tied to Connecticut’s CT250 observance. Mortera said the group is a pending 501(c)(3) and expects the event to expand beyond Danbury in future years.

Commissioners asked several questions about the application. "Has the deposit to the Palace Danbury been paid?" asked Commissioner Siubhan Fallon; Mortera replied it would be paid Wednesday. Commissioner Harvey Center asked whether budgeted income was already committed and about a large projected profit on the application; Mortera said the income figures were projections and that organizers budgeted a surplus to help sustain the organization in future years. Coordinator Gregory Wencek said the grant could be structured to support expenses for the two-day event rather than start-up business costs.

Gregory Smith moved to grant $4,000 to Living Traditions; the motion was seconded by Siubhan Fallon and passed by show of hands with one no. The approved funds are designated to support this year’s Day of Danbury two-day event.

The commission recorded that the applicant will continue seeking corporate sponsors and that publicity plans include paid advertising targeted to younger audiences. The documentary is still being edited; organizers said updates are distributed through their newsletter. The commission did not approve the full $15,000 requested.

The commission’s next scheduled meeting is May 18, 2026. The Day of Danbury event is planned for June 27–28, according to meeting materials.