Three days next August will showcase Norfolk’s charms

By Colleen Gundlach

Norfolk residents agree that this town has much to offer as a destination for tourists and as a place to live. Getting that message out to the rest of the world has always been a challenge. Recognizing the need to promote the town’s beauty, culture and business, three Norfolk women have joined forces to develop A Weekend in Norfolk.

Sue Frisch, Holly Gill and Ruth Melville head a coordinating committee that is planning to make August 5, 6 and 7, 2016, a weekend to remember. At a recent planning meeting, representatives from 14 different Norfolk organizations shared ideas for this event and discussed ways each organization could participate.

“A Weekend in Norfolk is designed to showcase the town’s many natural and cultural offerings, as well as promote local businesses,” say Frisch. “The event is intended for Norfolk residents as well as visitors to enjoy. We hope that everyone in town will turn out to welcome visitors and enjoy this special weekend themselves.” The coordinating committee will organize advertising for the event, as well as promotion and funding, while each individual organization will plan and promote their own activity or presentation.

Some groups planning to participate include Aton Forest, Norfolk Curling Club, Great Mountain Forest, Norfolk Library, Norfolk Historical Society, Norfolk Lions Club, Battell Arts Foundation, Norfolk Land Trust, Economic Development Commission, Norfolk Artists and Friends, Norfolk Now, Yale Summer School of Music, Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance, HamletHub, Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department, Norfolk Farmers Market, Church of the Transfiguration, Norfolk Lions Club and Norfolk Church of Christ.

According to Frisch, this weekend builds on the Norfolk Map & Guide that was recently distributed throughout the tri-state area of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. “The overall purpose of continuing and widening its distribution, plus offering a specific, weekend-long event at a time when people are frequently taking summer vacations, is to use the combination to bring people to Norfolk for more than a day trip,” she says. “We anticipate that visitors will stay for one or more nights to take advantage of a full weekend of events. This will benefit our B&B’s, inns, restaurants and stores while at the same time present Norfolk at its very best.”

Norfolk organizations or businesses who wish to be a part of A Weekend in Norfolk are encouraged to contact Sue Frisch at suefrisch@mindspring.com, Holly Gill at hollygill49@comcast.net or Ruth Melville at ruthmelville@mac.com.