Newington's Big Saturday: Waterfall Festival And Chalk Walk Bring Art, Music And Fun To Market Square

NEWINGTON, CT — Newington is putting all its weekend energy into one big Saturday, and it's worth clearing the calendar for. Market Square turns into the town's stage and gallery all at once, with live performances, a mascot parade and a sidewalk full of chalk artists competing for ribbons. Here's what's on.

• Newington Waterfall Festival — Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date Oct. 3). This family-friendly community gathering features local crafters and vendors, performances from The Backstage Academy of Dance and US Taekwondo, and a mascot parade at 11:30 a.m. with appearances by school mascots and characters like the Geico Gecko. DJ Brian Skibo keeps the entertainment and commentary going all day. Admission and parking are free. Venue: Newington Chamber of Commerce, 171 Market Square.
• Chalk Walk Competition — Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., same day and location as the Waterfall Festival. The Newington Art League's annual sidewalk-art contest hands out ribbons and prizes in Adult, Teen, Junior and Children's categories, judged on originality, creativity, color and composition; each registered artist gets a box of chalk pastels, a carpet square and bottled water. Venue: Newington Art League, 171 Market Square.

Between the dance and taekwondo performances, a parade of mascots and a sidewalk's worth of competing chalk artists, Newington is putting everything into one Saturday this time around — no verified film, exhibition or performance turned up for Thursday, Friday or Sunday this week, so consider Market Square on Sept. 26 the weekend's whole show.