Cromwell events committee approves 100 yard signs, advances Riverport Festival logistics and funding

The Cromwell Community Events Committee on June 22 voted to buy 100 24-by-18-inch yard signs as part of broader preparations for the Riverport Festival and reviewed fundraising, vendor logistics and accessibility measures for the Sept. 24-26 event.

Committee Chair Steven Wygonowski said he had met with Finance Director Sharon DeVoe and Town Manager Anthony Salvatore to coordinate event financing and with Director of Public Works Lou Spina on site logistics ahead of the festival. The Committee also heard a treasurer's report from Barbara Lesi showing year-to-date fundraising of $34,477.30 and a $7,600 down payment on fireworks; after expenses the committee reported $26,877.30 remaining and $938.24 currently in the Town account. Lesi noted that Town checks are issued on Wednesdays and that $30,000 in festival funds will be available for use beginning July 1, 2026.

On a motion by Pamela Barker-Jones, seconded by Heather Deming, the Committee approved purchasing 100 lawn signs from a quoted vendor. JoAnn Doyle presented the vendor quote (Image Ink of Newington) showing unit prices of $12.50 for orders of 100 and $13.50 for orders of 50; the Committee asked that sign placement be distributed across town rather than concentrated on Main Street.

J. Davis, who reviewed the stage "run of show," said one act dropped out but had been backfilled. Committee members discussed stage location, potential interference with food trucks, and security needs; Chief of Police Penn participated in the security planning conversation and the Committee estimated roughly 12 hours of security coverage after the event concludes. The Committee also discussed handicapped parking availability at Mitchell's and other locations and the use of handicap placards to manage limited spaces.

On vendor and entertainment planning, members discussed a climbing wall, photo booth, trivia hosted by Coles Road Brewery, a petting zoo and a possible mechanical bull. Vendor counts reported by the Committee included about 14 food vendors (two unresponsive), roughly 15 merchants and eight service vendors for a reported total of 37. The Riverport Race currently has 24 registrants.

Transportation plans include a request to borrow golf carts from TPC after their Cromwell event and two Town vans with drivers that will run a loop between Main Street, Growers Farms, Town Hall and the festival site, an arrangement Chair Wygonowski said was coordinated with Human Services Director Amy Saada. Covenant Living requested a site map for its private shuttle arrangements. Committee members noted the carnival operators hold exclusive cotton-candy sales under a signed contract for all three festival days and will share a portion of their revenue with the Riverport Festival, so the Committee emphasized directing foot traffic to the carnival area as part of contract compliance.

Publicity and administration matters included an estimated $300 cost for a quarter-page ad in the Rare Reminder, coordination with local businesses (including Murphy's Bar & Restaurant) for event promotion, a donated electrician to support vendor power needs, Town maintenance of park lighting and a Town request to install a construction-style fence around beer-tent areas. The Committee reported having 24 radios for the event and that the Town can provide up to eight additional radios as backups on an event channel.

Volunteer recruitment was discussed: Chair Wygonowski and Matt Blanchette plan a Committee presence at the Farmers Market to promote the festival; a student liaison, Jack, said he intends to recruit high school volunteers in the fall. Committee members discussed creating a volunteer coordinator role and developing an online volunteer application.

Procedural motions recorded in the minutes included seating alternate Matt Blanchette (motion by Barbara Lesi; second Pamela Barker-Jones), approval of the meeting agenda (motion by Chair Wygonowski) and a motion to adjourn at 7:40 P.M. (motion by Heather Deming; second JoAnn Doyle). All motions in the minutes were recorded as carrying "All in favor." The Committee set its next regular meeting for July 16, 2026.

The minutes record a range of operational decisions and next steps but do not record individual roll-call votes for motions; several logistical items (final vendor lists, exact security hours and final volunteer coordinator arrangements) remain to be finalized in follow-up meetings.