James Bairaktaris 12/27/21 James Bairaktaris 12/27/21

Bundled Up and Biking through Downtown

Two of Westport’s littlest community members remained bundled up as they toured downtown in the basket of their family’s bike. WestportLocal.com photo

J.C. Martin 12/4/21 J.C. Martin 12/4/21

Hundreds Attend Wakeman Town Farm Tree Lighting

Wakeman Town Farm which has become a Mecca for Westport families held their annual Christmas Tree lighting event Friday night kicking off the Holiday Season with a crowd estimated at 800 or more over the course of the evening. Families enjoyed the Christmas tree and decorated grounds, sweet treats from The Porch and Sweet P Bakery, and hot chocolate from The Granola Bar and Starbucks. Also, a variety of local school musicians playing Christmas and Chanukah favorites.. Children played among several lighted trees and brought their parents to the bonfire to warm up and toast marshmallows.

Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery

James Bairaktaris 11/14/21 James Bairaktaris 11/14/21

The One that Westport Wants: Standing Ovation for Staples Players - GREASE Performances Continue

`(click to enlarge) As the Staples Players took to their final number, members of the audience took to their feet in a standing ovation for the Players show. All photos by WestportLocal.com`

`(click to enlarge) WestportLocal.com photo`

The music of Grease filled the Staples High School corridors Sunday afternoon as the Staples Players continued their on-stage performance of the seventies classic.

Last Spring the Staples Players celebrated their return to the stage - after over two years - during their opening night of Words, Words, Words… and Music; the socially-distant audience was capped at 1/3 capacity.

With 100% capacity approved for Grease, the Players’ opening night on Thursday celebrated a full audience for the first time since 2019.

The anticipated magic that the Players are known for brought a tangible feeling of excitement before Sunday afternoon’s performance; some of the younger audience members couldn’t even remember their last Staples show without social distancing separating them from their neighbors.

However when the house lights dimmed, the packed house greeted the performers as they took to the stage. The energy was electrifying (no, not hydromatic) as the dozens of Westport teens danced, sang, and coiffed their hair to the toe-tapping families below. Through special effects, lighting, and pure talent - the hundreds in attendance were unknowingly transformed back to the 1950s for the remainder of their Sunday.

With Grease, the Staples Players continue to add another layer of “getting back to normal” for Westport; the community converged on the local high school auditorium while taking time to catch up with friends and neighbors seated near them or during the show’s intermission.

Another local tradition revived.

Due to popular demand, the Players added an additional feature of the show for this Thursday night. Tickets are still available, with all funding going to support the widely renowned acting group and the work that they do. All audience members must be masked while indoors, and must present proof of COVID-10 vaccination or testing.

For more information, visits staplesplayers.com.

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