New London Main Street will produce its eighth annual Fish Tales, Tugs & Sails children’s festival on Saturday, July 26th from 11am – 4pm at New London’s Historic Waterfront Park. The free, nautically-themed event celebrates children’s literature and the environment. Fish Tales is a unique family event that features a wide variety of authors and illustrators, story tellers, boats and sailing vesse
ls, environmentally themed activities and interactive performances for children. Throughout the day, children can explore a host of free activities. Mystic Aquarium will provide touch tanks, which will allow you to get up close and personal with various sea creatures. Project Oceanology will also provide touch tanks, which will be located on their research boat. Also on hand for viewing will be tugboat provided by Cross Sound Ferry and New London Community Boating sailboats. Festival goers will also have the opportunity to walk the decks of a true 19th-century style tall ship, view the accommodations below, and tour the navigation station. There are also many additional hands-on craft activities for kids. Professional interactive performers will entertain children of all ages. Featured artists include Kidsploration featuring Steve Elci & Friends, Joseph Salcedo, Elijah’s Magic, Todd Belcher, Gabrielle’s Karate Team, L’Ana Burton and a special appearance by Ariel the Mermaid. Nationally-renowned children's book authors will appear to do a reading from their latest works. Authors were selected by Monte Cristo Bookstore and the Fish Tales Committee and include Janet Lawler reading “Oceans Counting,” Mollie Wilson reading “Duck Tape” and Anna Westbrook reading “You Can’t Read This Book.”
Our featured contest for kids at this year’s Fish Tales, Tugs & Sails is the “Design Our Official Cupcake” contest. To enter, go to newlondonmainstreet.org/fishtales and click on the “Design Our Official Cupcake” link. Participants must name their cupcake and list the cake flavor, frosting choice, filling and more. Sugar Cupcakery & Bakery, a winner of the Food Network show, “Cupcake Wars,” will be present to help judge the competition and to create the winning cupcake. They will also have some of their summertime specials and best-sellers available for sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new or gently used children's book to donate to the Whale's Tales Book Bank, which contributes over 5,000 books to New London youth each year through this program. Fish Tales, Tugs & Sails is co-produced by New London Main Street, Mitchell College and New London Office of Youth Affairs. It is sponsored by Veolia Water Authority, Dominion, Chelsea Groton Bank, Bob’s Discount Furniture and the City of New London. This year’s media sponsors include Metrocast, WFSB, The Day and Cumulus Broadcasting. Updates regarding the schedule of events and author/entertainment lineups will be available at www.newlondonmainstreet.org/fishtales or call 860-444-2489 for more information.
