Ballard Park in July - Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Welcome to July, Westport: the deepest, warmest, most magical and lazy part of summer, when we have the experiences we carry with us always with fondness and affection. Westport and Wadhams are ideal places to create such warm summer feelings, in residents and visitors alike: a calm day on Ballard Park or Lee Park Beach, listening to the waves wash in, watching an otter go for a morning swim, listening to the sounds of diners enjoying fine meals and drinks at the lakeside Portside Restaurant or the Westport Yacht Club. Perhaps you can bring your breakfast from Dogwood Bread Company to Ballard Park and settle in at one of the many picnic tables or Westport chairs, with your exquisite coffee from JAMBS Coffee Shop, or the Inn in Westport. Enjoy an evening of fine and convivial dining (before or after a Depot Theatre Production!) right in town at the Mountain Dog Tavern, Winton’s Tavern, or the Mill ADK, where you can also experience cutting-edge cuisine, cocktails, and world-class music and art. The options are varied and endless!

July 4th weekend is coming right up, and we’ve got a big celebration happening, complete with a parade, fireworks, a vendor market, live music, an Ice cream social and book release at Snowfort Books, and new this year, a cardboard boat float challenge on Sunday before the fireworks! We’ll be sending a separate newsletter with the schedule details. Can’t wait! And if you enjoy our town activities and festivals, please consider volunteering and/or donating! Thank you.

DON’T MISS WESTPORT’S JULY 4TH WEEKEND FESTIVITIES ON THE 5TH AND 6TH!

For more details on individual events, live music, etc. please visit our calendar at www.gowestportny.com/calendar and keep your eyes on your inbox for the July 4th schedule newsletter.

HELP KEEP THE FIREWORKS BRIGHT!

Westport Fireworks ~ Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Did you hear? 67.5% of our survey respondents want the fireworks to happen every year!

We need your help to keep them glowing. The show has a $15,000 price tag, so please give today to help support the show. Any amount helps. And please spread the word! DONATE HERE. Thank you!

ENJOY CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE AT THE WESTPORT LIBRARY!

Here’s the library’s full schedule for July!

-Annual Book Sale and Raffle, July 5 and 6, 10am-4pm ~ Seagle Festival ‘Meet the Composer, Tom Cipullo’ July 12, 2-4pm ~ Annual Arthur Dodge Memorial Concert, July 15, 7pm ~ Summer Reading Celebration of Arts and Creativity, Saturdays from July 12-Aug 30 at 11am ~ Author Michael Caldwell Presents ‘Tao of Snow-Essays from a Dawn Land’, July 22, 7pm ~ Author Tim Brookes discusses his book ‘A Hell of a Place to Lose a Cow: Hitchiking Across America’, July 29, 7pm.

DEPOT THEATRE MAINSTAGE PRESENTS ‘FIRST DATE’ TILL JULY 13

Romance, Regret, and a Live Band—Depot Theatre’s Main Stage Season Kicks Off with FIRST DATE!

Opens June 26 – July 13

This 90-minute musical comedy is a wild ride through romantic misadventures, inner voices, and unexpected sparks. You’ll laugh, cringe, and maybe even remember your own first date (for better or worse!).~ Broadway polish meets small-town charm. ~ Fast-paced, funny, and totally relatable. ~ Live music. Big laughs. Real heart.

Directed by Depot Theatre’s Beth Glover with music direction by Aaron Jodoin, FIRST DATE features a cast of Depot Theatre alums and exciting new talent.

Tix + details: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35395/production/1232042

Meet the cast via BroadwayWorld https://www.broadwayworld.com/.../FIRST-DATE-to-Kick-Off...

JOIN THE BALLARD PARK ANNUAL PARTY ON SATURDAY JULY 26TH!

Ballard Park Party 2024. Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Come raise your glass with old and new friends in Ballard Park for their celebrated annual Summer Party, from 6-8:30pm! There will be cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Farmstead Catering. Tax deductible tickets are $85, or $50 for ages 21-30. Make checks payable to the Ballard Park Foundation and mail to the Ballard Park Foundation, PO Box 96, Westport, NY 12993.

BALLARD PARK FREE CONCERT SERIES KICKS OFF ON THURSDAY JULY 10!

THE SPIRIT OF PLACE ART EXHIBIT STARTS ON JULY 1ST!

The Westport Heritage House Committee is gearing up for the annual Spirit of Place Art Exhibit, where you can view gorgeous regional art by local artists, meet them at the reception on July 10 from 5-7pm, and purchase your favorite pieces!

MEADOWMOUNT KICKS OFF ITS 2025 SEASON!

Image courtesy of Meadowmount School of Music

The esteemed Meadowmount School of Music kicked off the 2025 season on June 29th, and has a full schedule of summer concerts, including two right here in town, a recital at Snowfort Books on June 29th, and the Annual Arthur Dodge Memorial Concert at the Library on July 15th!

THE MILL GARNERS MORE PRESS!

Read all about it HERE!

The sculptor Joel Shapiro in 2008 in London, where one of his works was unveiled as a permanent public display. Credit...Adrian Dennis/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Joel Shapiro, Westport’s own celebrated sculptor and friend to many, passed away on Saturday, June 14. Read the obit in the New York Times. We are all blessed to have had your presence and enormous creativity in our midst!

We are YOUR Alliance! Follow our Website, Facebook Page and Instagram. Follow all the happenings on the Calendar, and What’s Happening in Westport Facebook Page. Have a friend or neighbor who would like to know what’s going on in town? Don’t forget to subscribe and forward this email!

-Newsletter Editor: Catherine Seidenberg