Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival is fast approaching! The festival will kick off with a free concert at 7 PM on the lawn at the Florence Griswold Museum on Friday, July 29th featuring the Mighty Soul Drivers. They will bring the classic Soul sounds of Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and points South to Old Lyme. Bring a blanket and pack dinner or enjoy the food trucks available during the concert.

Festival day, Saturday July 30th, begins with a 5k run/walk organized by LYSB. Throughout the day you are invited to stroll Lyme Street for live music, food, and plenty of art. Children’s activities will be available throughout the festival, as this is a family-friendly event.

The festival culminates with a performance by the Old Lyme Town Band at 7:30 PM in the field behind Lyme-Old Lyme Middle school and a fireworks display visible from the same location that will begin around 9:15 PM. For full details about the festival, please visit ExploreOldLyme.com.

The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) released a draft of the Regional Housing Plan for the Lower Connecticut Valley Region. The public is invited to review and comment on the draft plan which can be found here.

The Lymes' Senior Center has a few tickets still available for a whale watching trip in Boston, MA on July 27th. The cost is $126 for members or $131 for non-members age 55+. Call (860) 434-4127 ext. 1 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot. Cash and check accepted.

We are pleased to announce that there is a new member of the Town Hall team. Tom Meyer has been selected as Old Lyme’s Facilities Manager and IT Coordinator, replacing Philip Parcak who recently retired. Tom has hit the ground running and we are looking forward to working with him.

Lastly, please remember to stay hydrated and check on family and neighbors during the heat wave that is expected to last several more days.

Stay cool.

-Tim Griswold, First Selectman