In this file photo, the Mystic River Bascule Bridge was raised to allow boat traffic on Thursday, June 23, 2022. Built in 1922, the bridge is regularly raised for boat traffic from May to October. (Daniel Passapella / Special of the day)
Mystic – A year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Mystic River Basque Bridge culminates on Saturday with events including music, a chili contest among local restaurants, a beer garden, limited edition artwork presentation and sale, and fireworks reaches
This will be a few months on the downtown drawbridge, including a history talk in April, the release of a specialty beer from the Outer Light Brewing Company in May, the retirement of 33-year bridge tender Rod Coleman in June, and a photo contest. followed by a long celebration.
In May, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce opened the Mystic Chamber Bascule Bridge Visitor Center in a former toy store. Open until the end of the year. People can stop by and pick up a 56-page souvenir guide.
“As a resident of Mystic for 26 years and now president of the Chamber of Commerce, just seeing the community react and respond to the bridge and the celebrations that surround it is truly heartwarming.
Cottrell Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday from 10am to about 10pm, and a parking ban will be in place from 4am to 10pm, according to Stonington Police. In addition, parking is prohibited on some of the surrounding roads.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, people can download the Go Mystic app to suggest parking, and the Mystic Seaport Museum has a space available for $10 in the south lot, allowing visitors to enter the Mystic Seaport and watch the fireworks. can see
schedule for saturday
2 pm — Local historians, businesses, elected officials, former bridge bidder, and Governor Ned Lamont join the dedication ceremony, which begins with St Edmund’s pipes and drums and ends with a song by Dan Watson.
Flux said the chamber will present a replica of the plaque that will be installed in the bridge’s tender house. A real plaque is carved, which takes several months. The Chamber of Commerce will also present a digital illustration of his print by local artist Abbey Park. 100 prints are available for $195 each. Park has been painting local seas and landscapes with watercolors since his late 1980s and launched his graphic design career in 2019.
Flux said his only request in commissioning the art was to include the fireworks, “a very interesting, somewhat abstract view of the bridge.”
3 pm – Chili Fest and Beer Garden opens on Cottrell Street with live music from Eight to the Bar. Chili eaters can purchase a ticket and redeem it for a 3-ounce tasting at each restaurant tent: Bank & Bridge Brewing, Bleu Squid, Chapter One, Engine Room, Friar Tuck’s Tavern, Hot Rod Café and The Irons. Restaurant & Bar, Noble Smokehouse, RD86 Space, Rocks 21. You can vote for the best chili in the Go Mystic app.
5:15pm – 6:45pm– Live Music: Jamie’s Junk Show.
7:00pm – 8:30pm – Live music: Cucumber Jones.
8:15 p.m. – Fireworks at Mystic River presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino.
The Chamber of Commerce and Foxwoods have also created the Bridge Scholarship Fund, with proceeds from year-round events going toward senior high school scholarships at Stonington High School, Fitch High School, Grasso Tech and Westerly High School. .
e.moser@theday.com
