The iQuilt partnership will host 25,000 people on Sept. 29 in Hartford for a free festival with multiple events and performances in order to showcase the walkability of the city’s downtown.
EnvisionFest Hartford is designed to send festival-goers around the city’s various arts and cultural attractions, helping fulfill iQuilt’s goal of turning the city’s downtown into a year-round destination for visitors.
“EnvisionFest is really a celebration of Hartford,” said Jackie Mandyke, program manager for iQuilt and EnvisionFest. “It is a celebration of the walking culture and innovation in Hartford.”
The iQuilt partnership is collaboration between the city and the state along with various business and cultural groups such as MetroHartford Alliance, Hartford Business Improvement District, and Greater Hartford Arts Council. Through an organized improvement plan and various small and large capital projects, iQuilt wants to redesign the area around Bushnell Park to tie together the city’s various attractions.
The focal point of EnvisionFest will be Bushnell Park, but events will happen throughout the downtown region, including at the Wadsworth Atheneum, the Bushnell Theatre, the riverfront, and the State Capitol.
EnvisionFest events include jazz concerts at the corner of Gold and Jewel streets, an acrobatic performance accompanying a concert at The Hartford Stage called Cirque Le Jazz, the University of Connecticut Marching Band performing with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at the Bushnell Park Pavilion, a world record attempt for the largest Zumba exercise class, and a performance at the Wadsworth by lyrical and world play artist RapOet.
“It is truly an exciting festival,” Mandyke said. “EnvisionFest encourages people to walk around Hartford.”
Information about the festival will be shared via Twitter (@EnvisionHTFD), posted on its Facebook page, and at www.envisionfesthartford.com.
Twain House a top tourism draw
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has announced that The Mark Twain House has been voted residents’ and visitors’ Fan-Favorite ‘Still Revolutionary’ destination. The announcement comes following new data indicating that the campaign is beginning to make an impact on statewide tourism. Visitation to major attractions including Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, The Mark Twain House, New England Air Museum, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat and the Maritime Aquarium is up 6.84% over last year at this time.
• • •
Hartford lands U.S. gymnastics tourney
The 2013 U.S. Gymnastics Championships will return to Hartford’s XL Center next Aug. 14-17. The event, held in Hartford in 2010, serves as USA Gymnastics’ national championships and determines U.S. champions and the U.S. national team for the junior and senior elite levels. The field will be determined closer to the competition.
• • •
Festival seeking submissions
The New England Film and Music Festival is accepting film and original music submissions for the event to be held on the weekend of April 19-21, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. The Festival’s mission is to promote and give exposure to local filmmakers, musicians, and entertainment from local talent across New England. For more information, visit www.NEFilmFest.com.
• • •
Art Trail taps Miranda Creative
Miranda Creative, a brand management firm located in Norwich, has been chosen by the Connecticut Art Trail to launch its social marketing campaign with the goal of increasing awareness about art collections throughout Connecticut. The Connecticut Art Trail, a nationally recognized partnership between 16 world-class museums and historic sites, selected Miranda to help enhance its visibility across the state and to develop the Trail’s social media presence, public relations efforts and communication with art fans. For more information, visit: www.arttrail.org.
• • •
Waterpark renamed Crocodile Cove
Lake Compounce, the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, has begun its multi-million-dollar water park expansion, and to celebrate has renamed the area Crocodile Cove. Admission to the water park will remain free with park admission, and more rides and attractions will be added in the coming years. This year’s new water feature is Riptide Racer, a high-speed competition water slide. For more information, visit: www.lakecompounce.com.
