From Rembrandt the Dog to LEGO Towers, Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival Delivers a Day of Art-Inspired Fun

OLD LYME, CT – At the Old Lyme Midsummer Festival, every dog’s a winner, every artist has a place to share work and every lawn becomes a gathering place. That’s where thousands of visitors converged Saturday, taking in sights and sounds along Lyme Street ranging from art exhibits and live music to hands-on science activities and family entertainment.

And we can’t forget Remy of Berlin, a summer visitor to Old Lyme with the Anderson family. He took home the best costume award at Parading Paws, the Florence Griswold Museum’s annual dog show, dressed as the Dutch master Rembrandt.

LEGO Master Champion Corey Samuels and contestant Christine “Tacos” Blandino came to Nautilus Architects around the corner on Halls Road to talk plastic brick-building, sharing their experiences from the television competition and inspiring builders of all ages. The day culminated with a 30-minute Leaning Tower Challenge to find out who could build the tallest tilted tower without toppling. Samuels sent the group into action with a digital timer set to 30 minutes and a directive to “get your brick on.”

The 21st Annual Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Classic Car Show, held in memory of car show founder Phil Parcak, was the center of activity at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center. The grounds also hosted the Lions’ grill and activities for all ages, including science experiments, wildlife searches, local shopping and the opportunity to view works from the personal collection of Peterson, a famed naturalist and illustrator. Courtesy of the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, the youngest visitors and their families were treated to an interactive concert by Michele Urban.

Artists like Kathleen DeMeo were featured throughout the festival, from the Fence Artists Show next to the Old Lyme Inn to booths set up in front of the Lyme Art Association, Florence Griswold Museum and Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center. DeMeo works with monotypes, which are one-of-a-kind designs on paper created by applying ink to a smooth, plexiglass plate. For one piece, she put hydrangea flowers through the press to create a work of colorful, layered art.

The Lyme Art Association showcased creativity in forms ranging from handcrafted jewelry to the martial arts. A demo team from RISE Martial Arts Academy of Old Lyme and Old Saybrook delivered choreographed performances, while musicians including the John Brown Band performed in front of the historic gallery. The grounds also gave groups like the Old Lyme Conservation Commission, Land Trust and Open Space Commission the chance to raise awareness about protecting the natural local landscape that’s been luring artists for generations.

As events continued into the evening with a performance by the Old Lyme Town Band followed by the annual fireworks show, LymeLine remains proud to carry on as a festival sponsor. Thanks go to the Old Lyme Arts District and the many volunteers whose efforts made the day possible.