captions:

Lillian Demma, 4, of Killingly checks out her awesome face painting at Particle Accelerator Music Fest.

Member of the band Stattic

A little bit of lively chalk on the walkway.



Putnam’s Rotary Park was filled once again June 10 with live music and local residents and families enjoying the gorgeous day and the free family event, Particle Accelerator: A Day of Music and Hope.
Particle Accelerator is an annual benefit concert that raises awareness for suicide and depression and funds for United Services. June 10 marked the 17th annual concert and raised just over $12,000 for local community behavioral health services.
The free, all-day music festival featured 16 bands playing music of all genres and for all ages. The event debuted a new second stage this year, using the cement pad that is home to the town’s holiday ornament. Particle also added a food truck, Little B’s BBQ, and several craft vendors for the first time this year.
“Wonderful music, lots of dancing, kids with balloons and friends with loving hugs,” said event co-founder Grace Young.  “Although a shower came through around 5 p.m., we saw the sun return. It’s like that with life, too. Hope can be found, and we must dance through the showers.”
The festival started in 2007 by family and friends of Putnam resident Jack Young Jr., who died by suicide on his 27th birthday that year. Event organizers include Grace and Jack Young Sr. and Eric and Sandy Gould, all of Putnam.
The annual benefit concert has two main goals, organizers said. The first is to raise funds and awareness to support United Services, Inc., the community behavioral health center serving 21 towns in northeastern Connecticut, including Putnam, for more than 58 years.
“United Services continues to see unprecedented numbers of individuals reaching out for help,” said United Services President/CEO Diane L. Manning. “Particle Accelerator is an opportunity to come together and support each other and talk about the importance of access to mental health services, and we are grateful to everyone who makes it happen.”
The second event goal is to provide information and support for depression and suicide prevention, while promoting music and civic engagement as a healthy alternative to drug and alcohol abuse among young adults.
Saturday brought large crowds to the park, where residents could also learn about local mental health and other social service resources from United Services, the Windham County chapter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Norwich Vet Center and Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW), who also set up an obstacle course for kids to enjoy at the event. The Putnam High School class of 1998, Jack Young Jr.’s graduating class, also attended to mark their 25th graduation anniversary.
Particle Accelerator’s Wall of Angels, a moving tribute to friends and family members lost to suicide, honored 333 people this year with photos on the wall and the lighting of luminaria at dusk.

..