FRIENDS OF MAIN STREET
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24th Annual Fall Foliage Festival

8/13/2024

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Have You Marked Your Calendars?

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Join us on Main Street (Rte. 44 - from Town Hall to High Street) on Saturday, September 28th, for the 24th Annual Fall Foliage Festival. Discover Winsted/Winchester – the perfect place to live, work, and play, offering the best of town and country. With over seventy crafters, artisans, vendors, local businesses, and organizations present, there's plenty to see and do, including kids' activities and live entertainment. And when hunger strikes, there's no shortage of options, with everything from food trucks to local restaurants offering delicious treats.

Rev Up Your Engines! We have added a spectacular Car & Motorcycle Show! There promises to be an exciting mix of classic muscle cars, sports cars, and motorcycles, with various awards up for grabs. ​

                     It's just "good old-fashioned" family fun for all ages.​

🔸 VENDOR application: crafters, artisans, local businesses,
      organizations, commercial
​      
https://www.fomswinsted.org/vendors.html
🔸 ABOUT THE EVENT: and last year's pictures:  
      
https://www.fomswinsted.org/fallfoliagefestival2024.html
🔸 SPONSOR Opportunities:
  
    https://www.fomswinsted.org/sponsoropportunities.html

Be sure to sign up and join our mailing list: https://www.fomswinsted.org/weeklyupdates.html.

Free admission, Free Parking, Free shuttle, ADA accessible -- Two parking lots - Rec. Dept. Building/Forest View Cemetery (180 Rowley Street) to The American Museum of Tort Law (654 Main Street) with 2 drop-off stops - Case Avenue and High Street. Looping from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free Parking at The American Museum of Tort Law and walk to the Car/Motorcycle show starting at Railway Cafe!

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We Have a New Friend!

8/1/2024

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You have a new HVAC Vendor!  Win-Win
​
We are thrilled to welcome Ash Family Heating & Cooling to Winsted!  They just joined Friends of Main Street as a 'Friend' sponsor, so you will see them highlighted at the bottom of every newsletter and on www.fomswinsted.org as one of our sponsors. 


Who is Ash Family Heating & Cooling, and why Winsted/Winchester? ​
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https://www.ash-hvac.com | Tel: 860-238-7212 | Email: [email protected] | Mon - Fri: 7am - 7pm
❛❛ My family and I moved to Winsted in June 2022 and have spent every day of the last two-plus years falling more and more in love with this beautiful town and its amazing small businesses. I grew up in Woodbury, and my husband, Steve, grew up in Naugatuck. We lived in Watertown before moving and found our perfect home on Highland Lake.

​"
Although we are a new business, Steve has been in the HVAC industry for over 25 years.  He has done and seen it all, from service to installation to oil to gas conversions.  He prides himself on mastering every aspect of the trade.  About a year ago, he switched from residential to commercial work to spend more time with our family, but ultimately decided it wasn't for him.  He missed the daily interaction with customers and the problem-solving challenges of residential work.  So, in June, I told him to open his own company, which has been his dream for as long as I can remember.

So now, it's all hands on deck at the Ash household.  I am working on scheduling, the books, and marketing.  The kids are leaning in to help with promotion and social media, and even the dogs hang out for a little emotional support when everyone is exhausted, but they must keep going.  Our family loves to work together and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the amazing people that make up this amazing town.   

We are elated to be supporting Friends of Main Street and can't wait for future events!
❜❜  -- Erica 
​


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We're Back!

7/28/2024

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Friends of Main Street's Facebook page was recently hacked. We felt terrible that we were not able to share all of our local businesses' updates for a couple of days, but we are back and did not lose information on our upcoming events, etc. ​

We are committed to supporting our local businesses on Main Street and community events through our active Facebook page and detailed weekly newsletters. This provides a comprehensive daily resource for information about our local shops, eateries, and entertainment venues.  Check out our FOOD, BREW, FOOD & NECESSITIES listings on our website www.fomswinsted.org.

​​​​It was a great reminder of how you as a friend and neighbor can also help to support local businesses.

What Can You Do to Support Local Businesses Without Breaking the Bank?

Small businesses are an essential part of Winsted/Winchester's charm. While shopping at small businesses is the best way to show support, there are many other ways to support them without spending a lot of money. Who's ready to support all of our community events? They are! Remember, you have the power to significantly promote these businesses. Here are some ways you can help:

  1. Leave a positive review on Google, Yelp, Open Table, etc. 
  2. Word-of-mouth marketing matters! Tell your friends and family about the businesses you love. 
  3. Sign up for the newsletter of your favorite businesses. (You'll get the best deals by staying in the know!)
  4. Attend area events to help promote your community - there are lots of free events organized and shared by Friends of Main Street and more on the Town's website under Community Events 
  5. Follow your favorite businesses on social media. Like their page!
  6. Comment on the social posts of your favorite businesses.
  7. Tag your friends and family in the business's social posts.
  8. DM your friends and family social posts made by your favorite businesses.
  9. Re-post a business' social posts, or make your own (make sure you tag the business!).
  10. Be patient when a new business opens. Give them a chance to work the kinks out of a new store/restaurant. 
  11. Make a list of things you can buy locally instead of at big box stores or online. For example, you can buy products in our hardware stores, one-of-a-kind gifts, clothing, etc., on Main Street or at a Farmer's Market.
  12. Volunteer your time at places that could use extra help, such as local Thrift Shops or Food Banks when advertised. Become a volunteer firefighter for your community.

Make memories and build your community!  Winsted Has It!


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A Winsted Christmas

12/1/2022

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It's the most wonderful time of the year! Get in the Holiday Spirit on December 3rd starting at 7 am with a Christmas Breakfast, Fairs, a Bazaar and Stuff-A-Cruiser. Then on to Whiting Street for shopping and a tour at AMP or the American Museum of Tort Law. Next pictures with Santa, a Horse Drawn Wagon Ride, Hot Cocoa; Kids Crafting and Face Painting at the YMCA; more Shopping down Main Street — to East End Park for S’mores, a Dance Performance and the Tree Lighting at 4 pm !  
 
Tis the season for giving! 🥫🧅🥦🥕 Please bring a donation or food items with you for The Salvation Army to Little Fox Studios, 434 Main Street to get your FREE Pictures with Santa. Your support helps them serve our neighbors in need, right here in Winchester!

Activities:
  • Christmas Breakfast (7 am tp 11 am) at Winsted Fire Station 2 at 187 Prospect St
  • 1st Annual Holiday Fair (8 am to 4 pm) & Kids Crafts and Face Painting (1-3 pm) at Northwest CT YMCA
  • 101st Christmas Fair (8 am to 3 pm) at First Church of Winsted 
  • Christmas Bazaar (9 am to 2 pm) at St. Joseph Church 
  • Stuff-A-Cruiser (9 am to 6 pm) at CVS, 47 Main Street, Winchester Police Dept.
  • Mural Tours (10 am to 5 pm) at American Mural Project - kids & students free!
  • Holiday Open House (11 am to 1 pm) at Beardsley Library
  • Holiday Open House (11 am to 4 pm) American Museum of Tort Law, 654 Main St
  • Holiday Open Studios Weekend December 3 & 4, (11 am to 5 pm) at Whiting Mills 
  • ​Pictures with Santa (1 pm to 3:30 pm) at Little Fox Portraits at 424 Main Street - bring food donations with you for free pictures!​
  • Horse Drawn Wagon Rides (1 pm to 3 pm weather permitting), sponsored by Northwest Community Bank, with pick up on Elm Street/390 Main Street corner.  Also, hot chocolate from Friends of Main Street. 
  • S'mores (2:30 to 4 pm) at East End Park sponsored by Winsted Fire Department
  • Dance Performance (2:45 to 4 pm) at East End Park by the Center for Dance Arts
  • Tree Lighting (4 pm) at East End Park sponsored by the Winsted Recreation Department ​
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Spooky Windows on Main Street Winners!

11/7/2022

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Early Saturday morning on October 22, sidewalks filled with teams of K-6 Winchester students brewing up frightening displays of ghosts and goblins all along Main Street for the 40th Halloween Window Painting Contest!

A total of 69 downtown windows were painted by 52 teams of two and 11 "solo" painters – 115 young artists –  making more memories for everyone this Halloween!
 
Friends of Main Street is excited to announce the 2022 Halloween Window Painting winners by grade!
  • Kindergarten:  Olivia Melycher & Lily Gagnon (2nd Grade) 
  • First:  Dylan Moodie-Kalman & Amelia Schuldt
  • Second:  Nathan Grillo & Mason Pond
  • Third:  Aubrielle Miner & Kaylee Ransom
  • Fourth:  Iris O'Connor & Destiny Farr
  • Fifth:  Kayleigh Gurtowsky & Makayla Whitener (1st Grade)
  • Sixth:  Jaime Lindau & Corinne Lindau (3rd Grade) 

​A big howl out to our judge Amy Gifford, and these participating businesses:  McGrane's On The Green, Cura di sé Nutrition, ABC Pizza, Mama Pho, Wonderland Nail Studio, Laurel Lanes, True Value of Winchester, Padre's, The Gilson Cafe and Theater, Community Health & Wellness (former IGA storefront), Be Under Par Performance, Friends of Main Street, Rooted Market, Little Fox Portraits, Noujaim's Bistro, Keefe Land Surveying, JB Appliance, and F & G Richards Jewelers. And our thanks to the Winsted Fire Department, who generously clean the windows each year 🎃
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Fall River Cleanup – Restoring Healthy Rivers!

9/30/2022

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What a perfect Fall day for the first Fall River Cleanup - 75° and sunny on Saturday, September 24th! The Winsted Conservation Commission partnered with Friends of Main Street to organize the cleanup and was excited to have 30+ volunteers ready to go at 9:30 am at East End Park!

The Fall River Cleanup is inspired by the Connecticut River Conservancy, which sponsors an annual cleanup along the Connecticut River and its tributaries to beautify our environment and improve water quality on the same weekend. 
The group also partnered with the Farmington River Watershed Association, which has its cleanup event the same day.

There were volunteers from NCCC (Northwest Connecticut Community College), Northwest Regional 7, the Gilbert School, Scouts from Troop 1027, members of the Economic Development Commission, and other residents who joined Friends of Main Street and the Winchester Conservation Commission to help. We cleaned up East End Park, Main Street, Center Street, High Street, a bit of Willow Street, and the Skate Park while others were on the banks of the Still River. The Scouts brought their canoe and cleaned the Mad River and its banks! The grain bags donated by Little Red Barn Brewers was a great idea, and thank you, Barbara Douglas, for the great pictures.

At noon everyone enjoyed their pizza from our excellent local restaurants: Noli’s, Monaco’s, Kent Pizza, Mario’s, and ABC Pizza! Thanks to Bombardier, Birchwater Property Management, and Willard Platt for your kind donations.  

See you next September!

​
#rivercleanup #winsted #fallvibes






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Historic Parades Down Main Street!

5/30/2022

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What a Memorial Day to remember!

Not only did we honor our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day with the traditional Winsted VFW Post 296 Memorial Day Parade of floats, marching bands, decorated military trucks, and fire trucks, but two historic parades were invited to join – Winsted Rotary's 84th Pet Parade and 88th Laurel Festival Parade – creating our largest parade on Main Street!

The 84th Pet Parade poster contestants and marchers include children from Torrington, Winsted, Norfolk, New Hartford, Barkhamsted, and Colebrook who bring their pets, dress in costume and ride their bikes; for all the fun! 

The 88th Laurel Parade includes last year's King and Queen. It welcomes the 2022 candidates for the Laurel Festival riding in decorated cars – all a preview to the upcoming Laurel Ball the following week.
Pictures courtesy of Holly Marchand Cassady, Candy Perez, Tabitha Fay and  Jim Shannon Republican-American  
The Memorial Day Ceremony, held at East End Park, begins with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and the playing of our National Anthem by The Gilbert School Yellowjacket Marching Band. Then the reading of the names of 115 fallen soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War by members of the Soldiers' Monument Commission. During the reading of names, scouts from local troops place a flag for each name read in front of the grandstand. The ceremony closes with the VFW firing squad salute with Bugler and Echo bugler -- Jennifer Collins, Grade 12, The Gilbert School, and Alec Marvin, Grade 8, The Gilbert School. The Soldiers' Monument on Crown Street is open on the first floor from 2 to 4 pm on Memorial Day.
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Pride in Place

4/26/2022

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It's Spring – Plant your seeds and grow them in Winsted!

Dear Friends,

We are encouraged by the many positive developments happening both on and around Main Street. It's exciting to see all of the new businesses opening, the Town's support with Facade Improvement and New Business Start-Up initiatives, Infrastructure Investment Plans and the growing sense of energy and community pride.

In 2021 Friends of Main Street made more memories with our Earth Day Clean up, Summer Concerts in the Park, Halloween Window Painting, a 12 Days Before Christmas giveaway events, maintaining our Food, Brew, Fun & Necessities - shops, take out, inside/out dining, salons, recreation & entertainment listings, while promoting daily and weekly community news. 

This year, we are looking forward to extending the flower baskets from Case Avenue to the YMCA (four more baskets), so we need your help.  Please consider donating to help us have fresh flowers in our downtown and volunteering for future events.  Your support makes a difference in our organization's plans. ❤️
 
Thank you very much for your support.

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Francis Delaney
President, Friends of Main Street – Winsted​
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Earth Day: Community Cleanup

4/23/2022

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Community Cleanup!
For years Friends of Main Street has organized its community cleanups along the historic Mad River on Earth Day! Today we can now enjoy the beauty of this river, the walking path, bridges, and historic mill buildings. 

Take pride in your community and help clean up litter on streets and sidewalks in your neighborhoods or any other locations around town. Don’t worry if you’re not able to fill a whole bag of trash, any little bit makes a difference. 

​
​WHERE:  Meet Us on Main Street!
Friends of Main Street will be setting up an information tent on the sidewalk at 372-378 Main Street (in between Nutmeg Potters and Monaco's Ristorante at 9:30 am.  Bring and wear gloves. Friends of Main Street will provide Eco-Friendly trash bag and latex gloves, if needed. Return at 11:30 am, bring your filled trash bag to the Public Works truck for water and pizza from local restaurants at 12:00 pm.   

TARGET AREAS:  Pick up a bag and pick up on your street or locations downtown i.e. East End Park, Rowley Street around recreational fields and parking lots, Willow Street, including the Skate Park and parking lots, to Bridge Street, all along Main Street (river and retail sides), the old Rail Trail behind Mad River Lofts to Prospect Street, Tatro Pond.

​
Take a Walk, Ride or Hike!​​​
Enjoy the
 
Sue Grossman Still River Greenway  (parking 18 Lanson Dr., Winsted) – 40,000  trips on that greenway annually!  Reach out to Winsted Trails or the Winchester Land Trust to see if they are scheduling any guided hikes? ​  Don't forget to bring a bag to pick up any trash you may find along the way. ​
Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world!
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Plant your seeds and grow them in Winsted!

1/17/2022

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​​Take advantage of our two new initiatives to promote economic development and investment, and how to take control of  your energy usage and costs!
​
🌱  Business Start-Up Program 
$100,000 Business Start-Up Forgivable Loan Program to help incentivize new businesses to choose Winsted/Winchester as the home for their new or expanding business.

🌱  Facade Improvement Program
$150,000 Facade Improvement Forgivable Loan Program to help invest in our existing businesses and ready our vacant storefronts and facilities for new businesses to move in.
  
🌱 Take Control of Energy Usage and Costs with C-PACE Financing!
​The Town of Winchester is partnering with the Connecticut Green Bank to bring C-PACE financing to commercial property owners. With C-PACE financing, owners of commercial, industrial, and multifamily property owners (5 or more units), as well as non-profits, can enjoy the advantages of energy upgrades immediately and pay for them over time through a voluntary benefit assessment.  Click here to schedule a meeting with a member of the Green Bank’s Financing Programs team to more learn about how C-PACE can benefit you.

Create it, Grow it or Move it to Winchester! ​
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© 2026 Friends of Main Street Winsted-Winchester, Inc., PO Box 18, 398 Main Street, Winsted, CT 06098
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Mission, Location & Hours
    • What We Do
    • Work, Play, Day Tripping: Winchester
    • Board of Directors
  • SUPPORT
    • Sponsors
    • Donate & Volunteer
  • EVENTS
    • Bubble & Truffles 2026
    • Winsted Restaurant Week
    • Earth Day Cleanup
    • Flowers on Main Street
    • Summer Concert Series
    • Fall Foliage Festival >
      • 26th Fall Foliage Festival
      • Sponsor Opportunities
      • Vendor Application
    • Fall River Cleanup
    • Halloween Window Painting
    • A Winsted-Winchester Christmas
  • CALENDAR
    • Community Calendar & THE WEEKLY Newsletter
    • Blog
  • FOOD, BREW, FUN & NECESSITIES
    • Antiques
    • Attractions
    • Food, Brew & Catering
    • Recreation & Exercise
    • Necessities
    • Salons & Personal Services
    • Shopping
  • CONTACT
  • Summer Concert Series