New London welcomes people to 'Eat in the Street'

June 02, 2021 12:00 am • Last Updated: June 03, 2021 9:31 pm

By Dana Jensen
Staff Photographer

Clockwise from lower left, Ryan Lisee and James Burgis of Preston, and James Hampton and Cecil Carter of New London, sit in an area that is usually for parking, during the "Eat in the Street" event Wednesday, June 2, 2021, on a closed part of Bank Street in downtown New London. The men said that the event was something they could safely do outside and this was their first time getting back together since the coronavirus pandemic started. Wednesday had a "Golden Ticket and Chocolate Night" theme and restaurants included items that fall under that theme. Hygienic Art planned on showing "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" in the Art Park. Also, a fireworks display was sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation at 9 p.m. from atop the Water Street parking garage. Eat in the Street events are held the first Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m. through September. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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New London — The city held its inaugural Eat in the Street event Wednesday, on a stretch of Bank Street that was closed off to traffic.

The night had a "Golden Ticket and Chocolate" theme, and restaurants included items with that theme and Hygienic Art planned on showing "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" in the Art Park. Food stalls and other booths along the street also offered treats for sale and activities.

The night was scheduled to wrap up with a fireworks display, sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, at 9 p.m. from atop the Water Street parking garage.

Kern Bruce, a resident artist at Hygienic Art, was sketching anything that caught his eye during the event. He said it was the first time in a while to be able to see people's faces and share his art.

Eat in the Street events are held the first Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m. through September.

From left, Chance Weber and his parents, Bobby and Valerie, all of Lisbon, walk down Bank Street while attending the "Eat in the Street" event Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in downtown New London. Wednesday had a "Golden Ticket and Chocolate Night" theme and restaurants included items that fall under that theme and Hygienic Art planned on showing "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" in the Art Park. Also, a fireworks display was sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation at 9 p.m. from atop the Water Street parking garage. Eat in the Street events are held the first Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m. through September. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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People attend the "Eat in the Street" event Wednesday, June 2, 2021, on a closed part of Bank Street in downtown New London. Wednesday had a "Golden Ticket and Chocolate Night" theme and restaurants included items that fall under that theme and Hygienic Art planned on showing "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" in the Art Park. Also, a fireworks display was sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation at 9 p.m. from atop the Water Street parking garage. Eat in the Street events are held the first Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m. through September. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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Kern Bruce, left, a resident artist at Hygienic Art, sits in the street while sketching Xena, an American bulldog, with owner Heinrick Rivera of New London, during the "Eat in the Street" event Wednesday, June 2, 2021, on a closed part of Bank Street in downtown New London. Bruce said he was sketching anything that caught his eye during the event and it was the first time in awhile to be able to see people's faces and share his art. Wednesday had a "Golden Ticket and Chocolate Night" theme and restaurants included items that fall under that theme, and Hygienic Art planned on showing "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" in the Art Park. Also, a fireworks display was sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation at 9 p.m. from atop the Water Street parking garage. Eat in the Street events are held the first Wednesday of every month at 5 p.m. through September. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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