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caption, page 1:
Deciding
Cora Belleville, 8, left, and her cousin Brooklyn Belleville, 8, checked out shirts at Tie-Dye Buy vendor at Pop-Up Putnam July 24. More photos on page 4. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Artist Sapphina Roller of the Art Guild transforms a plain trash can into a Rotary Park work of art.
Two pieces of art by Jennerate LLC inhabit two trees in Rotary Park. The piece above is near the riverside and the bandstand and the piece on the tree at right is in front of the Mama Bear sculpture.
On page one is a resin table.
Putnam Mayor Barney Seney dropped by the PBA Pluck-a-Duck sales tent to give them a boost. Courtesy photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The July 24 Pop-Up Putnam was definitely a hit. Wall-to-wall artisans, food vendors, art, vendors and music. And wall-to-wall with people, about 1,000 people, according to Putnam Business Association coordinator Sheila Frost.
Frost said people enjoyed the bands, Wayne Sinclair and the Just 2 Trio. “The vendors had beautiful handmade products. The weather was perfect. People were happy to be out and enjoy things as a group and be together,” she said.
There were more than 50 vendors, the NDDH Vaccine Clinic, the Putnam Lions Food Truck and a Live Art Demonstration. Sapphina Roller from the Art Guild turned a plain trash can into a representation of Rotary Park — for Rotary Park.
The vendors were pleased. July 26 Frost received an email from one vendor: “What a nice day Saturday! Things went very well and the field looked pretty busy. Always fun to see repeat customers. Thanks for all you do — and the helpers were lovely, by the way. Just having an offer to help cart things around is very much appreciated. A huge boost at the end of an event to have help. Will see you in August! Wondering about the festival in October now, too. Is there info about that or a vendor sign up? I am just starting to go into pumpkin and mitten production, so I am very interested.”
Frost said, “We featured something new-to Pop-Up Putnam this time with a Pop-Up Putnam Passport where attendees were given a card to get punched at each vendor table. Once they visited the vendors, they returned to the Berkshire Hathaway table and dropped their card in for a chance to win prizes donated by the vendors. There were so many donated prizes that we had four baskets to raffle off. The baskets were chock full of beautiful handmade items and folks really enjoyed this fun new twist.”
Frost said that the Passport was so popular it will be brought back for the final Pop-Up Putnam event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 21. After that Pop-Up Putnam event, Rotary Park will host a concert and the town’s fireworks.
Two new art features were added by Jennerate LLC for the Character Around Every Corner series. The distinctive faces can be found in the trees near the 3 Bears and the bandstand inspired by:
A rustle from the silence/Came to life one day
Firmly rooted in his beliefs
This wise old tree took shape.
“Embrace your natural beauty”,
the mama bear heard him say
“Believe in what makes you unique
and keep growing along the way.
Others may try to define you,
by all the things you are not.
But continue to nurture those that surround you,
stay true to your own heart”
Frost added “The Town of Putnam Parks and Recreation Department have been tremendously helpful and a joy to work with. They help make the events run very smoothly.” In addition to the PBA and the town, the event is powered by the Putnam Area Foundation.