Photo by S. Ballek. All the fun of the Festival: these young ladies — with freshly-painted faces — share a special moment with an ox in front of the Lyme Art Association.

The rain may have threatened Friday evening, but the concert by the Fiery Jazz Band on the banks of the Lieutenant River behind the Florence Griswold Museum went ahead as planned.  By all accounts it was a wonderful evening despite the weather.

But, not for the first time in the history of Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival, Saturday saw the skies clear and the sun shine brightly throughout the day.  With three locations participating again – Lyme Academy College had been missing for the past two years – visitors wandered up and down Lyme Street enjoying eveything that was on offer.

There were animals, authors, and art; hamburgers, hot dogs and herbs, books, balloons and a band, to name but a few of the attractions.  As always it was a wonderful day to be in Old Lyme! The stores further south on the street also held special sales and so the Festival was extended geographically beyond its usual limits.

The Old Lyme Town Band’s traditional early evening concert followed by the fireworks were both absent this year due to construction at Lyme-Old Lyme High School – we hope they’re back next year!

Photo by S. Ballek. The Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library’s book sale always draws a large crowd.
Photo by S. Ballek.
Book bargains galore!

Photo by S. Ballek.
Sales at the Lyme Garden Association’s stand were brisk and cheerful.

Photo by S. Ballek.
The fence sale by the Plein Air Painters in front of the Old Lyme Inn was a popular spot to browse.

Bureau’s Kettle Corn found itself selling in an idyllic location.

A crowd began to gather for best-selling author David Handler’s presentation at Lyme Academy Collegeof Fine Arts

The charismatic author chatted with the attendees before starting his talk, which drew loud applause.

Jena Thomas (left) and Renee Beyor manned the Information Table at the College with advice-a-plenty and welcoming smiles.