The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) will present the Third Annual Passport to Sandy Hook on Saturday, October 12, from 11 am to 4 pm. More than 30 merchants have contributed toward this year’s prize packages.

To be eligible to win one of the three prize packages, valued at a total of $3,500, visitors must have their passports stamped at all 32 participating locations. Locations are within walking distance of the Church Hill Road-Glen Road-Riverside Road-Washington Avenue intersection.

Three winners will be drawn at the bandstand, which will be on the sidewalk in front of 102 Church Hill Road, at 4:15 pm. The event will run rain or shine.

“We are so excited to welcome everyone to our shop on Saturday,” said Marci Benitez, owner of Family Fun Kuts/Fun Kids Consignments. “We hope that you enjoy the day in Sandy Hook, and whether you win a prize package or not, come back to visit us again soon!”

Visitors are also reminded that Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue will be conducting a stuff-a-truck to benefit FAITH Food Pantry. Donations of nonperishable food, or monetary donations, will be collected at the fire truck behind 102 Church Hill Road.

“This time of year — before we get to the holiday season — is especially tough on us,” said Lee Paulson, director of the food pantry. “We truly appreciate SHOP and Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue working together to help us out.”

Members of the fire company will again be participating in Passport to Sandy Hook, with fire prevention materials to share with all ages and the opportunity for visitors to climb into one of the company’s trucks.

The following groups or businesses are also planning to participate with special offers: Andy Sachs & The Deals Around Town Team will have discount coupons for a number of local businesses, and a raffle for Sandy Hook restaurant gift certificates; Alpine Realty, refreshments; The Children’s Adventure Center, pumpkin drawing and backpack giveaways; Colbert Photography, family portrait discount coupons; CrossFit Hook’d, demonstrations and giveaways; The Country Mill, cookies and samples of dips;

FAITH at Newtown, children’s crafts and refreshments; figs wood-fired bistro, pumpkin decorating; Family Fun Kits & Fun Kids Consignments, $5 hair feathers, face painting and refreshments; Foundry Kitchen & Tavern, free order of crispy calamari, mussels or bacon bleu skins with the purchase of two entrees or sandwiches (salads excluded, maximum one appetizer per table); Graceful Planet, family friendly dance performances; The Hook Restaurant, pizza, chicken, eggplant and fried dough samples; The Iron Bridge @100 Church Hill, free ice cream with purchase of kids meal, also free mulled cider and spiced rum with purchase of adult meal; Julie’s Piano Workshop, coupons; Labels & Tags, discounts;

Newtown Forest Association, information about “some hidden treasures in our town”; Pediatric Heart Specialists LLC, free blood pressure checks and information on heart disease prevention; PJ’s Laundromat, coupons; Sabrina Style, 10 percent discount on everything in the store (excludes special orders); Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, face painting, samples; Sandy Hook Hair Co.,  specials and refreshments;

Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, wine tasting; The Toy Tree, story time and photo op with The Little Mermaid, also crafts and activities; The Villa, kids eat free from Special Kids Menu (two per adult); Village Perk Café, samples and discount coupons; Wesley Learning Center, giveaways and crafts for kids; and Wishing Well, samples and sale items.

Also Newtown Music Studio, Porco’s Karate Academy, Ronnie II Barbershop and Suzuki Music School will all be hosting open houses.

A bounce house will be set up, sponsored by Pootatuck Rentals, LLC of Sandy Hook.

Special guests will include The Bobby Donaldson Band, Bocker the Labradoodle, local artist Jim Chillington, Newtown Juggling & Circus Arts Club, Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs, and John Voket. 

Passport to Sandy Hook is organized by Sandy Hook Organization Prosperity (SHOP). In addition to Newtown Savings Bank, Andy Sachs and The Deals Around Team, and i-95 radio are sponsors of the event.

A full list of participating merchants and more information on the event is available at www.experiencesandyhook.com/passport.html.

Prize Packages Announced

First Grand Prize (valued at $1,506): 6 tickets to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Newtown Savings Bank Corporate Suite;

*Newtown Forest Association sweatshirt and membership;

*tickets to Newtown United Methodist Church Monthly Pasta Supper;

*Suzuki Music School Early Music Education Class;

*Sandy Hook Hair Co. products and gift certificate; and

*gift certificates to figs wood-fired bistro, Foundry Kitchen and Tavern, The Hook Restaurant, The Iron Bridge at 100 Church Hill, labels + tags, PJ’s Laundromat, Porco’s Karate Academy, Sabrina Style, Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, The Toy Tree, The Villa Restaurant, and Wishing Well.

Second Grand Prize (valued at $1,134): wine tasting for six at McLaughlin Vineyards;The Newtown Bee;

*Newtown Forest Association sweatshirt and membership;

*tickets to Newtown United Methodist Church Monthly Pasta Supper and Easter Bunny Breakfast;

*one-year subscription to

*classes at Julie’s Piano Workshop;

*Family Fun Kuts products and gift certificate; and

*gift certificates to Colbert Photography, CrossFit Hook’d, figs wood-fired bistro, Foundry Kitchen and Tavern, The Hook Restaurant, The Iron Bridge at 100 Church Hill, labels + tags, PJ’s Laundromat, Porco’s Karate Academy, Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, The Villa Restaurant, The Toy Tree, Village Perk Café, and Wishing Well.

Third Grand Prize (valued at $995): Newtown Forest Association sweatshirt and membership;

*tickets to Newtown United Methodist Church Monthly Pasta Supper;

*Newtown Forest Association sweatshirt and membership;

*Christmas tree from Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue;

*classes at Newtown Music Studio; and 

*gift certificates to The Country Mill, figs wood-fired bistro, Foundry Kitchen and Tavern, Graceful Planet Moving Arts Center, The Hook Restaurant, The Iron Bridge at 100 Church Hill, labels + tags, Porco’s Karate Academy, Ronnie’s II Barbershop, Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, The Villa Restaurant, The Toy Tree, and Wishing Well.