Mystic ― The yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Mystic River Bascule Bridge is culminating Saturday in an event that will include music, a chili competition among local restaurants, a beer garden, the unveiling and sale of limited-edition artwork, and fireworks.

This comes after months of other celebrations of the downtown drawbridge, including a historical talk in April, specialty beer release from Outer Light Brewing Company in May, retirement celebration for 33-year bridge tender Rod Coleman in June, and photo contest.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce in May opened the Mystic Chamber Bascule Bridge Visitor Center in the former toy store; it’s open until the end of the year. People can stop by to pick up a 56-page souvenir guide.

“As a Mystic resident for 26 years and now president of the chamber, just seeing the community react and respond to the bridge and the celebrations surrounding it has been really heartwarming,” Bruce Flax said.

Cottrell Street will be closed to traffic from about 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, with a no-parking order in effect from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., Stonington police said. Parking will also be prohibited on some surrounding streets.

The chamber said people can download the Go Mystic app for parking suggestions, and Mystic Seaport Museum will have spaces available in the south lot for $10, which provides admission to Mystic Seaport to view the fireworks.

Schedule for Saturday

2 p.m. ― Local historians, businesses and elected officials, as well as former bridge tenders and Gov. Ned Lamont, are taking part in a dedication ceremony, which will kick off with St. Edmund’s Pipes and Drums and end with singing from Dan Watson.

Flax said the chamber will be presenting a facsimile of a plaque that will go on the bridge tender house; the actual plaque is being engraved, which takes a couple months. The chamber will also unveil a digitally illustrated print by local artist Abbie Park, with 100 prints available for $195 each. Park has been watercolor painting local seascapes and landscapes since the late 1980s and launched a graphic design career in 2019.

Flax said his only request in commissioning the art was that it include fireworks, and “it’s a really interesting, somewhat abstract view of the bridge.”

3 p.m. – The Chili Fest and beer garden open on Cottrell Street and live music begins, starting with Eight to the Bar. Chili eaters can purchase tickets and exchange them for a 3-ounce tasting at the tent for each restaurant: Bank & Bridge Brewing, Bleu Squid, Chapter One, Engine Room, Friar Tuck’s Tavern, Hot Rod Café, The Irons Restaurant & Bar, Noble Smokehouse, RD86 Space and Rocks 21. People can vote on the best chili in the Go Mystic app.

5:15-6:45 p.m. – Live music: Jamie’s Junk Show.

7-8:30 p.m. – Live music: Cucumber Jones.

8:15 p.m. – Fireworks over the Mystic River, presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The chamber and Foxwoods have also created the Bridge Scholarship Fund, with proceeds from events throughout the year going to scholarships for incoming high school seniors at Stonington High School, Fitch High School, Grasso Tech and Westerly High School.

e.moser@theday.com