Weaving, painting, coloring, and hugging therapy dogs were all part of the Second Annual Children’s Art Party held September 7 at NYA Sports & Fitness. The event was an early Newtown Arts Festival event, just one part of the “ridiculous abundance of enriching activities throughout September all around town” that been promised by festival organizers.

The art party on September 7 offered an afternoon of creative fun and performance for the many families and children to walk through the back courtyard surrounding a memorial fountain on Sunday afternoon. For three hours young residents mingled, enjoyed arts and crafts, and could not keep their  small and curious hands away from the therapy dogs. Also offering activities were EverWonder Children’s Museum and Housatonic Waldorf School. Children’s author Leesan Villa offered readings from her book.

Seated at a table near the author and concentrating on decorating a pumpkin was Sofia Doersch and her sister Olivia.

Making crafts fronm yarn and crossed sticks was Josie Drago. he weave was intended as a decoration meant for good luck. Across the courtyard and in the sunshine was Sadie Singlak, with her tiny arms around Golden retriever Abbie Einstein’s neck.

Event Chair Linda Watson glanced at the space behind NYA, which was filled with parents and children playing and creating handmade artwork. Aside from the day’s “great weather,” following a stormy, wet Saturday, she said the event was successful.

Also seated in the sun where a large pool surrounded a central fountain were father and daughter David and Gracie Boyle. Next to them and also perched on the pool’s rim were Kristin Vast and her son Luca, who was also celebrating his seventh birthday on Sunday.

Billy Cosgrove, dressed in a cartoon tiger’s suit, was also among the children playing with Wallace, a therapy dog who stretched out on the concrete and soaked up hugs from Ella Drago and 16-month-old Avery Bruno.

Additional Arts Festival Events Planned

Last weekend’s art party was one of a number of events created under the Newtown Arts Festival umbrella this year.

The festival, which launched as a two-day event weekend in 2012 and expanded to an eight-day event last year, grew further this year. Events began on September 5 and will continue until September 21, with the two-day signature event at Fairfield Hills to take place September 13-14.

Arts Festival events began on September 5 with the opening night performance of The Artificial Jungle by Town Players of Newtown (which continues weekends until September 27), continued over the weekend with a Beatles tribute band concert and Artwalk launch in Sandy Hook, in addition to the children’s art part at NYA.

The Three Wordsmiths, a poetry-essay-performance event by three Newtown residents, was offered September 8 at Booth Library.

Additional arts festival events are scheduled for September 10 (Improv Throwdown, at Proud Mary’s), September 11 (opening night of Doubt, a collaborative effort by Stray Kats Theatre Company and Third Eye Productions), September 12 (Second Annual Rooster Ball), September 13-14 (2014 Newtown Arts Festival Weekend), September 13 (The 6 x 10 Play Festival), September 18 (“Preparing For Art: A Conversation with Artists”), September 20 (Live at ETH: Mark Kozelek), and September 21 (Sunday Cinema Series: screenings of Mr Smith Goes To Washington and Dark Victory).

In addition, an exhibition of artistic items donated to the town following 12/14, “The Newtown Collection” is on view at Newtown Municipal Center until September 19.

Check the calendar listings on The Bee website (click on Calendar at the top of this page), or visit  for additional information.NewtownArtsFestival.org