Photo courtesy of the Florence Griswold Museum.   Hard at work, but with a smile, at the Florence Griswold’s En Plein Air Market!

They (well, my mother does anyway) say, “The sun shines on the righteous …”  One must therefore assume that the residents of Old Lyme are exceptionally righteous because their Midsummer Festival fell beautifully between damp weather on Friday afternoon before the art openings and concerts began, rain Saturday afternoon just towards the end of the day portion of the Festival and storms Saturday night after the spectacular fireworks.

The weather simply could not have been more cooperative — except, I suppose, if we’d had sun from start to finish!

The Lyme Garden Club’s stand is always a popular spot in front of the Lyme Art Association.

In a nutshell, the Festival embraced a triumvirate that has been celebrated for many a long year here in Old Lyme — art, music and food.  But this is no ordinary celebration — we do it with a certain style and a touch of panache!  To that point, there is even a Parading Paws dog contest at the Florence Griswold Museum hosted by the Vista organization, which is full to capacity each year.

Photo courtesy of the Florence Griswold Museum.  Everyone loves a parade?

Every year it is a little bit different.  Things move around sometimes — for example, the en plein air  “fence artists” were down at Center School this year.

The music was served with a new twist in the form of an after-concert party at the Bee and Thistle on Friday night, jazz at the Old Lyme Inn and a youth band called, School House Rock at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.

And the food  … ah, the food.  Well, that too was simply splendid!

Feet were tapping and hips were swinging under the Old Lyme Inn’s band tent, while a delicious spread of food was prepared on outdoor grills

The Florence Griwold’s Market en Plein Air aroused the senses — especially the taste buds — as always,  but where to next?  Lobster rolls at Lyme Academy College or grilled food at the Old Lyme Inn or what about a Maui-Wowi smoothie?

Maui-Wowi drew a continuous crowd.

There were crafts to do, games to play, books to buy, flowers to admire and art of every description to view — and even, sometimes, buy!  Old Lyme more than lived up to its reputation as the place “Where Art Lives,” and the thousands of visitors who came by on Saturday would likely agree.