Hike precedes second annual Naugatuck Fall Festival
NAUGATUCK — The second annual Naugatuck Fall Festival next weekend is about much more than fun and games.
The festival is Sept. 30, and the day begins with the second annual 22 for 22 Hike.
The purpose of the hike, which is 22 kilometers long, is to raise money and awareness for Mission 22, a nonprofit organization that seeks to end veteran suicide. According to the organization, 22 veterans commit suicide every day.
“These individuals are faceless and nameless and, because of that, their stories go untold,” said AJ Bordas, who helps run the Naugatuck branch of Mission 22.
Bordas said the hike is free, though the group is accepting donations.
The hike will go through the Naugatuck State Forest, Andrew Mountain Park, the Larkin State Bridle Trail, and end at The Station Restaurant on Water Street. Bordas recommends that only experienced hikers participate.
“This is not something I would classify as a Sunday stroll,” Bordas said.
Registration is open, and people can also register from 7 to 8 a.m. at Naugatuck Event Center, 6 Rubber Ave., the day of the hike. Once registration is complete, hikers will board buses and head up to the start of the trail off of Hunters Mountain Road. More information on the hike can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/22for22hike.
The hike will end downtown where the festival will take place on Old Firehouse Road and Church Street between Maple Street and Rubber Avenue. The final leg of the hike, from The Station to downtown, will be led by a bagpiper.
Two ceremonies will be held once hikers reach downtown, one to recognize veterans who have lost their lives to suicide and one to honor Vietnam veterans with commemorative pins.
“We will march to center of town to have a ceremony to give proper recognition to Vietnam vets who didn’t receive the support they should have when they returned home. That will be a big part of this festival,” Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess said.
The festival runs from 3 to 10 p.m. and will feature vendors, live music, a climbing wall, pumpkin decorating and a Livestrong YMCA Spin-a-Thon.
There will also be a car show hosted by Don Clady, publisher of CT Cruise News, on Old Firehouse Road.
The rain date for the festival is Oct. 1. The hike will take place rain or shine.
The festival will mark the beginning of the second year of seasonal downtown festivals hosted by the borough.
“I am very happy with the size of the festivals, the way they are growing, and the feeling on the street. We have a really nice community and family vibe,” Hess said. “I have a good time walking around and seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time and meeting new people. It’s a great vibe and feeling at the festival.”
For more information on the festival, email Terri Takacs at ttakacs@naugatuck-ct.gov.
