Celebrating Community – The Evolution of GrotonFest

by Logan McFadden

Showcasing the town’s vibrant local artisans, businesses, and community spirit, the GrotonFest family of events has become a cherished tradition. Over the past decade, the festivals have expanded from a single autumn gathering to three seasonal celebrations — fall, winter, and spring — bringing together thousands of residents and visitors.

A Brief History

GrotonFest began in 1979 as a fall festival and has recently celebrated its forty-fifth anniversary. The Groton Business Association, GBA, acquired the festival from Jane Bouvier in 2017, retaining the original coordinating team to maintain the festival’s community-focused mission. GrotonFest expanded in 2022 to include a winter event and further broadened its offerings in 2024 with a spring festival. In 2024 alone, more than twenty thousand people attended GrotonFest, thus underscoring the importance of the gatherings in fostering community connections, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

Notable Locations and Sponsors: GrotonFest Fall

With sponsor banners prominently displayed, the Laurence W. Gay American Legion Post 55 Hall anchors GrotonFest Fall. The red building, featured in many promotional photos, serves as a focal point for the festival. The event takes place in Legion Common and transforms the field into a lively marketplace of local vendors, artisans, and entertainers.

GrotonFest Winter

The winter festival takes place on the first Saturday of December at multiple locations, including the Groton Inn’s Forge and Vine restaurant and the Prescott Community Center. Groton Public Library joined the lineup to offer additional vendor space and performances. Inclusion of Glorie Dayz provides attendees with a fantastic photo opportunity, enhancing the festive atmosphere. 

GrotonFest Spring-Into-Summer

The spring event occurs on the back lawn of Prescott Community Center and marks a celebratory transition into the warmer months. This festival, too, draws a significant crowd, contributing to the overall growth of GrotonFest.

Sponsorship Support

Dedicated sponsors bolster the success of GrotonFest. Groton Inn stands out as a vital partner, particularly for GrotonFest Winter. Longtime supporters such as Middlesex Savings Bank, Rollstone Bank & Trust, Commissioners of the Trust Fund, and EXIT Assurance Realty have played crucial roles in sustaining the festivals through financial backing and community engagement.

Voices from the Community

Several key figures in the Groton Business Association have shared their insights on the evolution of GrotonFest:

On History

Jeff Gordon, GBA president, reflected, I actually grew up right on School Street, where GrotonFest Fall has been hosted for the majority of its forty-five years. I loved that every fall our whole community came together to showcase the businesses and artisans. I am honored to have been a part of it on a larger scale for almost ten years now.

On Growth

Lynne Burnmeister, event coordinator for GrotonFest Winter and Spring, noted the need for community connection postpandemic. “After COVID,” she said, we felt the world was yearning for more opportunities to gather and celebrate. We saw a chance to enhance our businesses and fill the desire for family-friendly activities with two additional festivals. Dominique Henderson, entertainment and marketing coordinator, echoed the sentiment. “After COVID,” he said we saw the desire from our community to support as many organizations as possible. With GrotonFest Winter expanding throughout downtown Groton, we encourage all Main Street businesses to have vendors, live music, food, and performances.”

Looking Ahead 

As GrotonFest enters its forty-fifth year, it remains a testament to the power of community and the joy of celebration, promising many more years of growth and connection for the town of Groton.

To attend this year’s GrotonFest, visit grotonfest.com for details.