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“Part of the city function is quality of life, and we made a conscious decision many years ago, probably before my time, that we wanted to offer a good quality of life so people would live here, work here, stay here, come here,” said Fairfield Mayor Steve Miller. “I think that is a driving force behind our parks and recreation agenda as we want to try to be all things to all people. I think it’s probably impossible to do, but it doesn’t stop us from trying.”
Fourth Friday is the city’s new three-concert series that will debut on June 22 at Village Green Park, said Fairfield spokeswoman Jenny Dexter. It will be different than the city’s other outdoor concert series — Groovin’ on the Green and Blues & BBQ — as it will feature bands and musical artists that play original music with some stylized covers.
“We’re just trying to broaden the musical selections,” Dexter said.
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Fourth Fridays will kick off with Moment 44, a popular Fairfield band.
In addition to the music, there will be four food trucks: Empanadas Aquí (Venezuelan food), Fabulous Funnel Cakes and More, Joe’s Mojo and streetpops (gourmet popsicles).
The series continues on July 27 with See You In The Funnies and on Aug. 24 with Adelee & Gentry.
Fairfield has intentionally made summer a busy time featuring loads of events, Miller said. Most are city-sponsored, but some events, like the Hero’s Ride, are organized by people not with the city.
“There are so many events going on in the summer, and we try to plan them or participate with someone because we want to have things in Fairfield for people to do,” Miller said. “I think it’s critical. If you’re going to be a good city you’re going to have to have a good quality of life and all of these things factor into quality of life.”
Dexter said providing events for residents, and non-residents, is about creating “a sense of community, and being able to meet new people and also enjoy the benefits of Fairfield.”
Summer unofficially kicks off on Memorial Day weekend (summer officially starts on June 21). On Monday, May 28, the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will honor those Americans who died while serving in one of the branches in the U.S. military.
Summer activities continue during that week on Wednesday, May 30, with the first of the weekly Village Green Farmers Market events. Kari Russo, the new farmers market manager, has a goal of doubling its size, the Journal-News reported in March.
“Ideally I would like to double the size of what we had last year,” she said. “I want that first market to be huge. I want that first market to draw a lot of people down.”
Groovin’ on the Green kicks off on May 31 with the Fairfield High School bands.
The annual Blues & BBQ concerts, a second-Saturday of the month summer series, kicks off on June 9 with Terry Metcalf Project, and the following day, on June 10, is the annual Village Green Fine Arts Fair.
Park activities do start before Memorial Day with monthly Movies in the Park, and the first one starts at dusk on May 18 and features”Secret Life of Pets.” The Fairfield Aquatics Center opens on May 26.
Full-day summer camps start weekly on June 4 and run through Aug. 10.
ANNUAL & RECURRING EVENTS THIS SUMMER
• Movies in the Park: Movies will begin at dusk from May to October at Village Green Park. The first movie is set for May 18 but subsequent movie nights will be on the first Friday of the month. Rain dates are the following Friday.
• Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony: The annual event is at 10 a.m. May 28 and features veterans groups, military unites, the Fairfield Marching Band, and the Fairfield Police and Fire departments. The parade concludes at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park where a ceremony paying tribute to veterans will be held.
• Village Green Farmers Market: Every Wednesday beginning with May 30. The market is from 4 to 7 p.m. and goes through Oct. 17 and features local farmers and crafters.
Groovin’ on the Green:
• Blues & BBQ: Every second Saturday of the month beginning on June 9. The events start at 6 p.m. and the series goes through September at Huffman Park and features Hammann's Catering.
• Village Green Fine Arts Fair: This annual event is on June 10 and runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Village Green Park and Community Arts Center.
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