West Hartford’s new Fall for Park Road festival brought visitors to the neighborhood without closing the street. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, families browsed local storefronts, children picked up free treats and an antique trolley carried riders along Park Road as traffic continued to move.
The free festival was intended to celebrate Park Road’s businesses, residents and neighborhood character, according to West Hartford News. It followed the Park Road Parade, which ran for 25 years before its final march on Oct. 5, 2024, Patch reported. The Park Road Association said the festival would showcase local businesses and take the parade’s place.
Park Road’s Streetcar Roots
The Town of West Hartford describes Park Road as a commercial district with a mix of commercial and former residential buildings. The town says the corridor originated as a streetcar route connecting to Downtown Hartford. The parade that preceded the festival had different beginnings: West Hartford News reported that it started in 1999 to mark the completion of a two-year road reconstruction and neighborhood beautification project. The parade and the newer fall festival are separate events.
Keeping the road open shaped how visitors moved through the event. The antique trolley made stops at designated locations along Park Road, offering families a ride between businesses rather than requiring them to walk the full route. The day also had its share of spectacle: Spider-Man was spotted stepping off the trolley.
Free Samples and Live Music Along the Strip
More than 16 businesses had signed up by the time the festival was announced. Participating shops offered free samples; AC Petersen Farms served ice cream samples and hosted musicians outside, while other performers played along the street. Playhouse on Park held a tag sale and featured musical-theater performers.
Children could pick up chocolate and ice cream samples along with temporary tattoos. Families and young children were a prominent part of the crowd, and the warm October weather made for a relaxed, shorts-and-T-shirt kind of day.
New Faces Settling Into the Neighborhood
The festival also brought visitors to businesses that had recently moved within or into the Park Road area. River Bend Bookshop had relocated from a spot it occupied for several years; asked about the change, employees said, “We love it.” Staff at Shamrock Tattoo Company, which had recently moved into the area, also said they were enjoying the neighborhood.
West Hartford residents Alisha Landau and Hillary Stoudt co-chaired the event, according to West Hartford News. Kate Levine photographed the festival for the publication.
Organizers Eye an Annual Tradition
Organizers hope to make Fall for Park Road a recurring community event and build on its first year, Patch reported. West Hartford News also reported that organizers want the festival to continue in future years.
