Sophia Luneva ’30
Contributing Writer
Dashiell Sigmond ’30
Contributing Writer
Fall is officially here with the return of the Pratt Street Autumn Festival in the historic district of downtown Hartford. Pratt Street is a pedestrian-only street filled with restaurants, retail stores and bars, making it the perfect place for a community gathering. The festival ran from Oct. 3 to Oct. 4, featuring live music, local vendor stands and free face painting for community members.
Hartford’s local vendors lined the streets throughout the weekend, selling handmade jewelry, candles and fall-inspired ceramics. The street was full of the Hartford community enjoying a lovely fall day while walking in and out of the open shops on the street. Hartford Prints, Gentle Bull Shop and Bloom Bake Shop were among the most popular stores for people to visit. The Gentle Bull Shop had an amazing five dollar bin among other incredible vintage finds, handmade jewelry and intricate ceramics; Hartford Prints was full of autumn-inspired candles, stationery and tote bags. The Bloom Bake Shop had a line spanning the entire block waiting for their artisanal pastries and coffee.
East Hartford’s School of Rock band performed during the festival. The band covered classic fall songs, such as a cover of “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles, along with some original songs crafted by the students, both in and out of school. The afternoon continued with other artists taking the stage, including Elena Foster, who is a local Connecticut-based folk singer and songwriter.
Overall, the festival was a huge success, drawing out several families and locals to Pratt Street, embracing the changing season and taking part in community activities.