East Lyme Celebrated in a Big Way

Celebrate East Lyme drew large crowds to downtown Niantic yesterday and there was no shortage of things to keep everyone entertained. Before the day even officially started, there was aat Hole in the Wall Beach.

There were nearly 200 vendors selling everything from homemade hoola hoops to barbequed pork sliders, and lots of informational booths manned by local nonprofits.

Four stages offered live music, kids had their faces painted, climbed rock walls, rode carnival rides, bounced on inflatable slides, and boarded a train for a tour of downtown.

First Selectman Paul Formica got dunked, a man ate his way to victory at Giuliano's Bakery's monster breakfast sandwich contest, and Pro Tek Auto's team rowed to shore to claim the golden paddle for the third time running in the whacky raft race on the USS Constitution.

Then, of course, there were the fireworks. This wonderful display over Niantic Bay is sponsored by Dominion Nuclear Power but it's all done by a local crew led by Tom Quinn of Niantic.

"They do it every year and it's a local favorite," said event organizer Heather Caulkins. "People absolutely love the fireworks show!"

If you couldn't make it to everything on July 21, here's a slide show of what you missed. Please feel free to add to it by posting your own photos!