Festival: Main St. transformed into art
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The Putnam Business Association’s Fairy and Magic Festival was magical!
Vendors. And street art. Macaws. And street art. Gnome homes. And street art. And food. And street art. And fairies of every ilk. And … street art. Main Street was turned into a huge chalky canvas for the May 16 festival. 
More than 200 visitors voted on their favorite chalk art. It would have been more, according to art contest organizer Jennifer Lehto, if it weren’t for the wind continually knocking down the QC code sandwich sign. 
“It was a hit and well received,” she said, adding she is “hoping to grow this event and do it next year!”
Nineteen artists took part including four main local artists: Simone Germain who painted a beautiful tribute of Betty Hale; Dave Laabs who drew Gary O; and Kyle Campbell and Ethan Bruso.
Lehto said "All artist won $300; there wasn’t a 1,2,3 place, just community choice.”
From the winners: Lucas Reardon: “I’m Lucas. I am 22 years old and live in Woodstock. What I love about making art is how free it is. You really have the choice to just make anything you see fit, using whatever you want, for any reason.
Anna Ionkin: “I am an emerging artist and this year I had my first show at the Corridor Gallery. Later I will have my second ever show at the Spirol Gallery and my first art residency through the CT Audubon Society at Trail Woods. I have always enjoyed creating art but I love being a part of an art community. Tackling larger art projects, supporting each other artistic efforts, and beautifying the community are all possible through community. Participating in the first street art festival I hope encourages more events like it to happen and to help involve more people in the future.
Calvin Sandberg: “I’m originally from Killingly and currently go to school at the Maine College of Art and Design in Portland, Maine, as an illustration major. I’ve been drawing all of my life and really focused in on it in high school leading up to me perusing art at college. I mainly do pen and ink work but recently have been expanding what I use as a medium.”

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from top left, clockwise:

From left: Ava, Delilah and Jenna Willette - a trio of fairies. 

Sandberg

Lucas. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page. Linda Lemmon photos.

Mickey dropped by during the festival. He's 19 and a blue and gold macaw.  Owner Larry said he's a rescue and has a 30-word vocabulary.

Ionkin