| Home | What's New | Index | Search | History | Legal Issues | Get Involved | Related Links |

S.O.S. FEST

Rave Reviews for S.O.S. FEST!

July 3rd was a banner day for the Shepaug River, as the "Save Our Shepaug" FEST offered daytime fun for kids and a fabulous dance that night. The evening culminated in organizer Nancy Meinke presenting Shepaug River Association president Edwin Matthews with a check for $60,000 raised by the event to support the legal campaign to save the Shepaug River.

The day began in Roxbury's Everett B. Hurlburt Park with a fun line-up of activities for kids that included water games, craft-making, face painting and magic shows. And that evening the grown-ups got down at the Shepaug River Dance. The setting was magical -- two huge white tents at the end of a big field on Riverbank Farm in Roxbury. Gorgeous flower arrangements and a professional lighting, sound and video system added to the other-worldly charm. The band, Kendrick Oliver & the New Life Jazz Orchestra, was simply sensational. The 20-piece ensemble served up a hot mix of swing, samba and soul, and the DJ, who filled in during breaks, kept everyone in a dancing frenzy.

To pull off such a wonderful day and evening, an army of volunteers was ably marshaled by Nancy Meinke, chairperson of the S.O.S. FEST Executive Committee. Tremendous effort went into all aspects of organizing, obtaining goods and services, staffing, setting up, decorating, taking down and cleaning up. Please see Credits for the full scoop on all involved.