The 38th Celebrate! West Hartford returns on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, and here’s a guide to what you need to know. PDFs of the complete festival program as well as a list of vendors can be found below.

By Ronni Newton

Celebrate! West Hartford has been a not-to-be-missed event in the region since 1987 and has grown from a small town fair to what is now a two-day festival that includes something for everyone.

Now in its 38th year, Celebrate! West Hartford will be held on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 8, from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of Town Hall.

When it began, Celebrate! was a one-day event, but it has now evolved into an award-winning festival that according to estimates regularly attracts an estimated 40,000 people during the course of its two-day run – town residents, people from throughout Connecticut, and tourists who come to West Hartford specifically to enjoy the great food, fun, music, crafts, and exhibits of civic and community resources that the festival has to offer.

“Community spirit is at the core of Celebrate! West Hartford. It’s what makes the event so special,” said Linda Geisler, event organizer. “It’s a time for artists and athletes, businesses and non-profits, and youths and adults to come together in a fun and festive atmosphere. Whether you’re running your first 5K, buying a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, or dancing along to the music, you’re part of something bigger – helping neighbors through every ticket, ride, or race bib.”

Attendance of course depends entirely on the weather – which has not exactly been cooperative lately for outdoor events. “Hopefully, the odds will be on our side. Regardless, we will be open – rain or shine – as long as the weather is not potentially dangerous,” Geisler said.

With a great line-up of music, 150 arts and crafts exhibitors, 27 food vendors, a giant ferris wheel and a new carnival operator, and more – including a dunk tank – there is something for everyone.

“Celebrate! West Hartford wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and volunteers, whose dedication and generosity bring the event to life each year,” said Co-Chair Marsha Jacobskind. “We’re excited to see all of our sponsors on the grounds of Town Hall, and appreciate their support in making this a beloved community celebration every year.”

“This Town is incredibly fortunate to have the many professionals who keep our streets and public spaces running smoothly and the emergency responders who provide thought, leadership, and support in the planning and execution of the event,” said event Co-Chair Peter Travers, who also chairs the FUNd RUNS committee. “The amount of effort, coordination, and collaboration that goes on behind the scenes is remarkable. I am proud to work with such a talented group of people to make Celebrate! West Hartford happen each year.”

“On behalf of the Town of West Hartford, I am delighted to welcome everyone back to town for the 38th annual Celebrate! West Hartford,” Mayor Shari Cantor said. “This signature event draws people from all over the region to our town to enjoy the festival and while they are here, to experience first-hand the dynamics that make West Hartford an award-winning place to live. Come and have a great time,” she said.

Celebrate! West Hartford is open to the public and is held rain or shine. There is no admission charge and ample parking is available. More information can be found at www.celebratewesthartford.com. A PDF of the complete program guide can also be found below.

Here’s what you can expect to find at this year’s Celebrate! West Hartford.

Juried Arts & Crafts Show

Celebrate! West Hartford has developed a national reputation, and is a multi-year winner of Sunshine Arts Top-200 Best Shows in the country. Master artists and crafters come to Celebrate! West Hartford from up and down the East Coast.

This year’s show will feature the original works of 150 master artists and crafters from all over the country, offering shoppers a diverse variety of jewelry, pottery, woodwork, sculpture, leather, metal, stone, mixed media, textiles, glasswork, art, photography, apparel, personal care items, and more that can be purchased directly from their creators.

“We strive to curate a show that includes something for everyone and includes diverse art forms,” said Arts & Crafts Show Director Rebecca Holmes. “Items offered are unique and one-of-a-kind; only the original work of the participating exhibitor may be sold. It’s a great place to find unique gifts and special items for yourself.”

“We have been overwhelmed with the response to the 2025 Arts & Crafts Show. With so many vendors interested in our show, we had to close our applications in March,” said Holmes, who added that she is encouraging those who were disappointed at not getting in to apply early for the 2026 show. “With almost 74% of our 150 vendors returning to the festival, we pleased to welcome new artists who will provide diversity and new items for visitors to enjoy.”

The Arts and Crafts show will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

A list of vendors is published on the Celebrate! West Hartford website and included in a PDF below, and programs listing the artists and crafters, their works, and their locations will be available at all three information booths, including a booth located in the arts and crafts area on South Main Street.

Food

Calories don’t count at festivals.

Even if you don’t start out hungry, the smells coming from the 27 food vendors at Celebrate! West Hartford will get your taste buds excited.

“There aren’t enough hours of the festival to enjoy the full array of food at Celebrate! In addition to traditional festival favorites like fried dough, ice cream and fresh lemonade, visitors can choose from a variety of international cuisine from Greek and Caribbean to Thai and good ole American hamburgers and hot dogs,” Geisler said.

The selection ranges from festival favorites like Grandpa’s Kettle Korn and Vinci’s Concessions’ fried dough to healthy options, to a variety of desserts and other sweet treats like shaved ice and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Rotary Club will be back grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, as will some other standbys like J’s Crab Shack and Harry’s Bishops Corner.

West Hartford’s Sweet Chili will return with their delicious Pad Thai, fried rice, and other specialties.

New this year is Christians Street Corn serving Mexican street corn, Meltdown on Park with hot roast beef sandwiches and buckets of fries.

Come for lunch, stay for dinner. There are more than 100 menu choices in the food court, as well as food like soft serve ice cream and fried dough available within the carnival area! Many of the vendors have gluten-free options as well.

Vendors include:

• Banh Meee – Beef Banh Mi; Spicy Garlic Noodles, Dumplings, Cold Noodles
• Bears Smokehouse – Smoked brisket, pulled pork/chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, coleslaw
• Ben & Jerry’s – Ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles
• Chompers – Fried Two-Bite Balls
• Christianos Street Corn – Mexican street corn (cob or cup), corn with butter
• Cuckoo’s Hawaiian Shave Ice – various flavors and toppings
• Flavors – Caribbean-inspired menu, tropical juices, frozen pina coladas, desserts
• Good Ole Boys Lemonade – Fresh Squeezed Drinks: Lemonade, Limeade, Cherry Limeade, and Strawberry lemonade.
• Grandpa’s Kettle Korn – Kettle Korn
• Greater Hartford Host Lions Club – Hand-cut French Fries with seasonings; soft drinks, water
• Happy Tail Coffee – Coffee and tea, breads, cookies, and other baked goods with gluten free options
• Harry’s Bishops Corner – Cheese and Pepperoni pizza slices, including gluten-free options
• Hartford Baking Co. – Giant pretzels, pastries
• J’s Crab Shack – Lobster Rolls, fried clam strip rolls, fried shrimp, lobster mac & cheese
• Meltdown on Park – Hot roast beef sandwiches, brisket sandwiches, bucket of fries
• Nothing Bundt Cake – Personal-size bundt cakes in 12 flavors
• Prime Concessions – Italian sausage, cheesesteak, chicken pita/gyro, corn dogs, tea, fruit punch, soda, and water
• Rotary Club of West Hartford – Hot dogs, hamburgers; cheeseburgers; chips, and drinks
• Sultan Kebab LLC – Gyro, chicken gyro, kebabs, tacos, beef and chicken quesadillas
• Sweet Chili – BBQ chicken, Pad Thai, fried rice, lo mein, spring roll, gyoza, chive dumpling
• TasteHouse Food Truck – Chopped sandwiches, loaded plantains, chopped salads
• The Bridge Family Center – Assorted soda and bottled water
• The Green Teahouse – Bobo tea, Dubai Chocolate Cup
• The Kitchen at Futures Inc – Flavored iced teas, sweetened and unsweetened
• Tibetan Peace Seeding Center – Beef, chicken, and veggie momo (dumpling), chow mein
• Vinci’s Concessions – Fried dough, lemonade, strawberry lemonade, bottle water
• World’s Best Sundae, Inc. – Soft ice cream cups/cones/sundaes

Carnival Rides and Games – plus some fun freebies

Maybe this part should have come before the section about food, but for many young and young-at-heart, the carnival rides are the best part of Celebrate! West Hartford.

Geisler noted that a new-to-Celebrate! carnival company – Smokey’s Greater Shows – will operate 11 different rides this year providing exciting fun for people of all ages. “We are especially looking forward to the 90-foot Gondola Wheel. I hope to take a ride on it – the view from that height should be spectacular,” she said. “There will also be great standards like a carousel and giant slide. And for those with strong stomachs, the Trabant should be a real thrill.”

Credit cards will be accepted for purchase of ride tickets.

Young children will enjoy the petting zoo and folks of all ages can enjoy the chance to try for a hole-in-one at West Hartford’s own newly-refurbished 9-hole mini golf course. Each hole of the course replicates a well-known landmark such as the West Hartford Town Hall, the First Church Congregational, Noah Webster House, the Westmoor Park Barn, and a West Hartford fire truck.

Want to try your hand dunking a firefighter – or perhaps a TV news personality? Use your hands for a lesson in the valuable and life-saving skill of hands-only CPR for a chance to test out this year’s new dunk tank, courtesy of the West Hartford Firefighters Association. They will also have personnel onsite providing first aid for anyone needing medical care. If emergency assistance is required, ask a staff person at any of the three Information Booths to summon help.

Many are focused on living a healthy lifestyle – which includes bicycling, and those who choose to cycle to Celebrate! West Hartford can find secure bicycle parking on Burr Street courtesy of Bike West Hartford. There will be no fee, but donations will be welcomed. For more information on Bike West Hartford, visit www.bikewesthartford.org.

Nonprofit and Business Exhibitors

There are more than 50 nonprofits and dozens of other businesses that have reserved tent space at Celebrate! West Hartford once again this year. Visitors to the event can stop by the booths to learn more about the organizations.

There are plenty of free activities at the nonprofit and sponsor booths as well, ranging from coloring pages and puzzles, raffles, martial arts challenges, games to win prizes, and loads of giveaways.

“The businesses and non-profit organizations exhibiting at Celebrate! will offer lots of different family-friendly activities, giveaways, contests and games,” said Geisler. “You can try your hand at STEM projects, physical challenges, get a health screening, and try Chinese healing treatments like Tui Na massage and Tai Chi. You can even visit with Santa at this year’s festival.”

Presenting Sponsor, PeoplesBank (Booth No. 311) will have something brand new this year. “We have teamed up caricaturist, Bill Dougal who people may know from doing portraits on the Patio every year at Celebrate! West Hartford. Bill has created four amazing Celebrate! West Hartford-themed coloring pages – just for the event. They are the first of their kind, I believe. Everyone is invited to stop by and color,” said Ryan Young, manger of the LaSalle Road branch.

“The new Hunt For Health Wellness Challenge is expected to be a main attraction at this year’s festival,” Geisler said. “Through the sponsorship of the Regional School Choice Office festival-goers can participate in free and fun activities while they explore the festival.” To participate, pick up a Hunt For Health “Bingo” card at Booth No. 300 then visit exhibitors that will be offering simple challenges related to intellectual, physical, or mental wellness. Complete five across or 10 total activities and you will win a prize from RSCO.

A map showing the locations of all of the exhibitors can be found on the website, as a PDF below, and printed copies will also be included in the Celebrate! West Hartford program that will be available at the Information Booths both days of the festival.

Music

Music is an important part of Celebrate! West Hartford, and the main stage will feature a variety of entertainment throughout the two-day festival.

On Saturday, the showmobile stage will feature a variety of ensembles from West Hartford’s schools, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and lasting through 6 p.m. Sunday’s performers include several professional groups offering a wide variety of musical styles.

Geisler noted that one of the most beloved traditions of this event is performances by West Hartford music students on Saturday. “After 38 years, by now multiple generations of some families have taken the stage on Saturday to showcase their talents. The crowds supporting the school jazz bands are sure to be well-entertained. This is the longest concert many of these students play all year. It is a culmination of their year-long learning, practice and work together. It’s a special way to end their year,” she said.

“The bands on Sunday have great regional followings,” added Geisler. “We’ll start with an hour of singer-songwriter acoustic sound from a duo called ‘Speakeasy.’ The duo will be joined by additional group members who make up the band ‘Fever.’ Featuring nine musicians in all, Fever covers a wide range of music that is sure to have people up dancing and singing along.”

Legendary regional band Personal Touch will close out this year’s festival. “A staple as the closing act of the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival for 10 years running, Personal Touch performs R&B, Soul, and Motown from classics to originals. The core group of James, Rex, Kevin and Aaron will be joined by a female singer and backed by a rocking band,” Geisler said.

The schedule of musical performances (at press time) features:

Saturday, June 7

• 10:30-11:30 a.m. Northwest Catholic Band and Jazz Singers
• 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bristow Middle School Big Band
• 12:45-1:30 p.m. Sedgwick Middle School Jazz Band
• 1:45-2:30 p.m. King Philip Middle School Jazz Band
• 2:45-4:15 p.m. Conard High School Jazz Band and Concert Jazz Band
• 4:30-6 p.m. Hall High School Jazz Ensemble and Concert Jazz Band

Sunday, June 8

• Noon-1 p.m. Speakeasy
• 1:30-3:30 p.m Fever
• 4-6 p.m. Personal Touch

Road Races

In 2024, organizers charted a brand new course for the 5K, which for years had headed south along Raymond Road and then through the Webster Hill neighborhood. The route change was initially prompted by safety considerations to avoid having to cross Park Road near the I-84 interchange, but the new USATF-certified course also gives participants a chance to experience a different West Hartford neighborhood as the route heads north through the Center before turning east and heading to the picturesque new Trout Brook Trail.

The FUNd RUNS, which will be held on Sunday morning, June 8, 2025, are part of West Hartford’s signature Celebrate! West Hartford two-day outdoor festival – with the named changed from the former “Road Races” during the pandemic to emphasize the charitable nature.

The races traditionally draw great crowds and are one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the weekend.

The 5K finishes in Blue Back Square, and participants will be treated to refreshments donated by generous sponsors in the Celebrate! West Hartford festival tent, where awards are also presented. The highly-coveted divisional awards are given to the first-, second-, and third-place finishers in male and female divisions in 10 different age categories.

The Kids K route loops through Blue Back Square, and all participants receive medals. The Kids K will begin at 8 a.m. on June 8, while the 5K begins at 9 a.m.

A portion of the FUNd RUNS proceeds is donated to West Hartford families in need through The Town That Cares and the Leisure Services Scholarship Fund.

The 5K race is USATF certified and open to runners ages 6 and up. Children ages 2 to 10 are eligible to participate in the Kids K, but older chaperones are welcome to accompany the young runners.

There is also a special category for registrants who are affiliated with 5K youth clubs Zoomerangs, Girls In Stride, and MPower. Registration can be done online in advance. Race day registration will also be available.

More details about the FUNd RUNS can be found here.

General Information, including Parking, Traffic, and Pets

Key information as well as fun photos will be posted both in advance and throughout the Celebrate weekend on the Facebook page (@celebratewesthartford). Celebrate! West Hartford is also on X with the handle @CelebrateWH and on Instagram (@celebrateweha). Use the hashtag #CelebrateWH with your tweets and photos to keep up with the latest news and information from the 38th anniversary of the event.

Celebrate! West Hartford is open to the public and is held rain or shine. There is no admission charge.

Handicapped parking will be available on Burr Street, and will be monitored by staff.

Due to the large number of people expected to attend Celebrate! West Hartford, event organizers are encouraging through-traffic to avoid the center of town. People coming to the event are asked to consider walking, biking (free bike park on Burr Street), using the bus, or carpooling are suggested.

“With this many people ascending on West Hartford Center, here are some tips to keep in mind when planning your trip to Celebrate! West Hartford,” said Geisler. “Biking is a great option. Members of Bike West Hartford will staff a free bike parking service on Burr Street during festival hours. They will keep your bike safe while you enjoy the event. Public transportation is another good option. Town Hall is just off the Farmington Avenue bus route that runs between Hartford and Farmington. If you need to drive, the Town of West Hartford will offer free parking in Isham Garage during festival hours. Of course there is pay-as-you-go street and surface lot parking as well. And Town Center Garage at 29 South Main Street will also have parking available for a fee.”

One final note about your four-legged friends: Although we love dogs of all shapes, colors, and sizes in West Hartford, organizers of Celebrate ask that you please leave them at home.

“Public events are tough on dogs: the hot asphalt (which can cause scalded paws); the hordes of people towering above them; the multiple of smells from the food court, the music and shrieks of delight from the children enjoying the rides, all combine to form an anxiety-producing, sensory overload for your dog,” West Hartford Animal Control advises.

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