HAMDEN FEST

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2023 | 11am-4pm

An extravaganza of events & activities in Hamden Town Center Park 

that brings businesses, arts, culture and community…together!

 

Each year, Hamden Fest continues to grow!

Check back often for exciting new additions and event updates. 

A fun-full day of activities from morning to night for our community!

Business & Community EXPO

Get to know your local business community! Stop by the EXPO under the Big Top Tent and check out all the resources in our area.

Interested in Exhibiting?

Arts, Crafts & Civic Fair

Great shopping opportunity right in your backyard while supporting local crafters and artists. Get to know local community organizations in your neighborhood 

 

Interesting in exhibiting? This is your chance to showcase your talent to thousands of visitors. This is a handmade fair only.  Non-Profits and Civic organizations are welcomed. 

Friends of the Hamden Public Library Book Sale Fundraiser

Stuff a Hamden Public Library bag for $15.00!

Browse thousands of gently-used, donated books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, and puzzles at great bargain prices.  Book Sale will be held inside the Library as well as outside on the Library sidewalk.

All proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Hamden Public Library

Book Sale Starts at 10:00am-4:00pm

Hamden Half Marathon & 5k Road Race

The Hamden Fest Half Marathon & 5K will be held at Town Center Park on Saturday June 3rd. The event includes a Half Marathon (New for 2023) and 5K. The road races will offer runners and walkers some grass and paved trail running.  For more information and registration.  Half Marathon begins at 9am and 5K Road Race begins at 9:30am.

Beverage Tent

Beer, Wine and Soda will be available for purchase by the Expo Tent from 2:00pm-6:00pm.  ID’s will be taken.  

Hamden Fest Schedule

 Saturday, June 3

  • 9:00 AM – Hamden Half Marathon
  • 9:30 AM – 5K Road Race
  • 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Friends of the Hamden Public Library Book Sale Fundraiser –  Miller Memorial Auditorium
  • 10:45am Festival Kick Off by            Emcee Brian Smith, AM1220 WATX
  • 11:00 AM – Kids Zone by Hamden Youth Service Bureau
  • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM  Festival Opens
    • 18th Annual Business EXPO
    • Music & Entertainment
    • Arts, Crafts & Civic Fair
    • Food Trucks
    • Local Food Vendors
    • Sports Zone by CFC Arena
  • 11:00am – 1:00pm Liz McNicholl Band
  • 12:00pm – Olivia Clark, Winner of Hamden Voice
  • 12:00pm – Kids Bike Rodeo by the Hamden Police Department
  • 1:00pm – Hamden Police K9 Demonstration
  • 1:30pm – Dance Unlimited
  • 2:00pm-4:00pm – The Wango Tango Band
  • 5:00pm – Feature Concert sponsored by the Department of Arts & Culture – Stephen Peter Rodgers & Friends

Vendor List for Business Expo:

  • Albertus Magnus College
  • Always Best Care Senior Services
  • AM1220 WATX
  • American Eagle Financial Credit Union
  • Apex International Student Homestays
  • Atria Larson Place
  • Bankwell
  • Bearingstar Insurance
  • Beecher & Bennett, Inc.
  • Benchmark Senior Living at Hamden
  • Care Connect LLC
  • Care Partners of Connecticut
  • Casanova Remodeling
  • CHNCT Husky Health Program
  • Cigna Medicare Advantage
  • Clarivision Advanced Eye Care
  • Coldwell Banker Realty
  • Complete Care of Meriden
  • Connex Credit Union
  • Crosspoint Federal Credit Union
  • Cutco Cutlery
  • Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians
  • Frontier Communications
  • Go Net Speed
  • Golf Cove
  • Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Home Heath Specialty Services & Home Health Specialty Plus
  • Ivy Rehab
  • Laurel View Country Club – The Vue
  • Leaf Guard
  • Liberty Bank
  • Long Wharf Theatre
  • M&T Bank
  • Monarch Dentistry
  • Nutmeg Advisory Group
  • Orangetheory Fitness
  • PosiGen Solar and Energy Efficiency
  • Power Home Remodeling Group
  • Primerica Financial Services
  • Quinnipiac University
  • Record Journal/RJ Media Group
  • Red Feather Wellness
  • Regional Water Authority
  • Renewal by Anderson
  • Rob’s Roofing
  • School of Rock North Haven
  • T-Mobile
  • Twins Lawn Care
  • Whitney Rehabilitation Care Center
  • Yankee Home

Vendor List for Arts, Craft & Civic Fair:

    • A’s Crafty Creations
    • Alzhemier’s Association CT Chapter
    • Anderson and Joy
    • Carbon, LLC
    • Cesca Creative Designs
    • Camiller Creations
    • Collector of the Devine Earth
    • Cozy Comforts CT
    • Chronically Queer Co.
    • Crystal for Mayor
    • Democratic Town Committee
    • Designs by Sherri
    • Dirty Steve’s Homemade Soaps
    • EdJeff Art
    • Faith’s Jewelry Box and Crafts
    • Filigree Beaded Gifts
    • Grace & St. Johns Church
    • Graceavor Handmade Jewelry
    • Hamden Chess Club
    • Hamden Lions Club
    • Hamden High School Sicily Exchange Program
    • Hamden Hockey
    • Hamden Public Library
    • Hamden Rotary Club
    • Hamden Soccer Association
    • Hamden Solid Waste and Recycling Commission
    • Hamden Youth Lacrosse
    • Haven of Hope
    • Institute of Learning in Retirement
    • Interfaith Volunteers Caregivers
    • International Baptist Church
    • Jehovah’s Witnesses
    • Kittycreo Designs
    • La Isla Spanish Restaurant
    • Nec-olage
    • Neverland Book Company
    • Red on Wheels Creations
    • Republican Town Committee
    • Sleeping Giant Build/Habitat for Humanity
    • Unique Frames
    • Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church

    Festival Concerts & Entertainment

    Festival Emcee: Brian Smith, AM1220 WATX

    The Liz McNicholl Band: 11:00am – 1:00pm

    Olivia Clark – Winner of the Hamden Voice: 12:00pm

    Dance Unlimited – Dance Team: 1:30pm

    The Wango Tango Band: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

    Stephen Peter Rodgers & Friends: 5:00 – 7:00pm

    Food Trucks

    Hungry? We got you covered for a variety of unique culinary options while at the Fest starting at 11 AM until 4 PM…and if the music plays on, the Trucks will stay too! Hang with us, bring a blanket and chairs…enjoy the evening!

     

    • Hungry Lion
    • Mi-Tai
    • Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies
    • Spuds Your Way
    • Sweetheart Ice Cream
    • Tiki Sweets & Treats
    • Freskos
    • Rogue Coffee

    Feature Concert

    Presented By: Hamden Department of Arts & Culture

    Headliner: Stephen Peter Rodgers and Friends

    5:00pm – 7:00 p.m. 

    Connecticut Magazine 2022 wrote – Stephen Peter Rodgers has been one of Connecticut music’s biggest supporters and a member of its fraternity since his days fronting alt-rock act Mighty Purple in the 1990s and early 2000s, and as former owner of The Space, The Outer Space and the Ballroom at the Outer Space in Hamden. He returns with his newest solo album, one that sees the Hamden singer-songwriter combine his alt-rock roots with a distinct indie-folk perspective, creating something wholly unique in the process.

    Thanks to our Sponsors

    Regional Water Authority 

    TYCO Print and Promo | Quinnipiac University 

    Home Health Specialty Services | M&T Bank

    Town of Hamden | 960 WELI | WATX AM 1220 

    CarePartners of Connecticut | Beecher & Bennett, Inc. | LeafGuard

    RJ Media Group | Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians | Bankwell ________________________________________________________________

     Special shout out to Hamden CERT and all their volunteers for their support of Hamden Fest! CERT has been helping us since we started the Business Expo that is now Hamden Fest since 2004. We appreciate all you do for the Town and our Chamber.

    Parking Information

     

    General parking for Hamden Fest at Town Center Park is through the Middle School entrance on 2623 Dixwell Avenue. Handicap Parking is available at the Hamden Library parking lot as well as the Middle School lot.  Members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will direct all attendees to the appropriate parking area.

    Vendor Set Up Information

    Business & Community Expo Vendor Info: Click HERE

    Arts, Craft & Civic Vendor Info: Click HERE

    Kids & Sports Zone

    Bring the kids for a full day of fun-filled activities by Josh’s Jungle! 

    Hamden Youth Services: Festivities include:  button making, mini photo stickers, give-a-ways, yard games, crafts, inflatables, Virtual Reality Game Truck, Moon Bounce.

    Sports Zone: CFC Arena, Soccer Shots & No.1 Soccer Camp

    Family Resources:

    • MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving)
    • ACCESS Health
    • CT Dental Health Partnership
    • Hamden Partnership for Young Children
    • We are the Village (After School Program)