“Westoberfest” heralded the start of autumn with a mix of craft beers, food, seasonal crafts, vendors and fun downtown Saturday. Photo at left: Oleg and Marianna Logvinov of Weston made their third annual visit to the event. Right: Josh Allen, board member of Westport Downtown Association, dressed with a Bavarian accent — lederhosen — while handing out wrist bands. / Photos by Ken Valenti
Photo at left: Stephanie Purzycki with James, 7, and Izzy, 5. James sports a mustache painted to resemble Luigi from Mario Brothers while Izzy featured Hello Kitty makeup. Right: Casey Kong, 2, gives a hula hoop a twirl.
Hundreds gathered under sunny skies Saturday for the seventh “Westoberfest” sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association.

By Ken Valenti

WESTPORT — Downtown toasted the seasonal shift to autumn Saturday with “Westoberfest,” the annual craft-beer event and fall festival sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association.

 In addition to a wide range of beers sampled by the over-21 crowd, there were attractions for people of all ages, including wood-fired pizza, ska-surf music, pumpkin crafts and a variety of vendors in booths set up along Elm Street.

One of five major annual events presented by the Westport Downtown Association, this marked Westoberfest’s seventh year based at Sigrid Schultz Plaza.

The wide variety of food choices at Westoberfest included, left, hot dogs from Craven Dawgs & Ting owned by John B. and Darlene B., and at right, fresh juices by Nate Bryant, owner of LemoNate’s Fresh Squeezed.
Photo at left: Jack Padroff, left, and Zach Goldstein of Goodies by Giggles Kettle Corn. Right: Melissa Rutstein and Rachel Dymond, best friends and partners in SugarKrisp, sushi-sized crispy rice treats topped with gummies and other candies. “Her kids love sushi and mine love candy,” Rutstein explained about the unique confection.
A line formed for Dough Girls wood-fired pizza.

Last year, festival goers braved rain to join the fun. This time, it was sunny and mild for the 

“Beautiful day for it,” said Trish Leavitt enjoying the festival with her husband Chris.

One Bad Oyster played ska-surf versions of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Tears of a Clown” and others.

More than 800 people bought tickets for the beer-tasting area, where admission was limited to those 21 years old and above. They sampled lagers, IPAs and stouts from 22 breweries such as Spacecat, Spring House and Devil’s Purse.

One Bad Oyster played upbeat ska-surf music for the Westoberfest crowd at Sigrid Schultz Plaza.

Outside the beer fest, families could tap into fun that featured 23 vendors, six food and drink trucks and stands, plus activities for children including face painting.

“It’s just a great community feeling,” said Oleg Logvinov of Weston, making his third yearly visit with his wife Marianna. 

Ken Valenti is a freelance writer.

Lindsay Davis, owner of Wild Heart Boutique, offers “vintage-style boho and casual” clothes.

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