Unionville Festival Pedals Forward with New Family Fun Bike Ride

As the eighth annual Unionville Festival approaches, resident Tim LeBouthillier reflected on how much of a community event the festival has become in that time. 

“It was really a way to celebrate fall and showcase our businesses and our restaurants and it’s really taken off from there," said LeBouthillier, president of the Unionville Village Improvement Association that founded the festival.

Local residents comprise the non-profit group "dedicated to the issues that affect the neighborhoods, schools, and businesses of Unionville" and work to "improve the quality of life and celebrate the heritage of Unionville through local improvement and outreach programs and community events," according to a press release from the organization. 

Area residents of all ages can expect many of the regular live music, entertainment, local food, activities and other features that have made the festival one of the most well attended events in Unionville. 

But one of the major new additions this year is the family fun bike ride that Bicycle Friendly Farmington is hosting. 

The 2.5 mile starts at the Unionville Gazebo at 3 p.m., with bikers lining up at 2:45 p.m. The route travels down Perry Street, connects to the Farmington River Trail, and loops back to the festival via South Main Street and then Mill Street. Anyone can ride and children younger than 12 should be accompanied by an adult. 

Another exercise-driven activity toward the beginning of the festival is the Farmington Rotary Club's 5K Road Race and kids fun. More information is available on the race website at www.rotaryroadrace.org.

Local businesses and organizations will table booths, ready to greet visitors, share information about what they do and offer demonstrations.

Moms can buy mums and families can enjoy the food and ice cream local vendors and restaurants are offering. 

It wouldn't be fall without pumpkin decorating, so kids can look forward to that, as well as pony rides, face painting and train rides. 

If you forget your camera, don't worry. You can create a visual keepsake of your festival visit with the return of the free photo booth. And, if you forgot your crazy hat, you can borrow the funny fashion accessories at the booth. 

Learn everything you want to know about Unionville at the Unionville Museum's open house. You can also find the Unionville Village Improvement Association's 2013 commemorative ornament of the old Farmington Town Hall at the festival.

“This special community event celebrates the revitalization of Unionville and the businesses and people who make up the fabric of our downtown.” LeBouthillier said in a statement. “We invite residents folks far and wide to join us and advantage of this unique and fun opportunity to show your support of our community and have a little fun too." 

The event starts at noon and runs until 5 p.m. at Union School and Clover Pinney Park where the iconic Unionville gazebo is located. 

Event sponsorship partners include Farmington Bank, Stop & Shop, People’s United Bank, and Unionville Lions Club. David Salon, George’s Pizza, Unionville Auto-Body, Labelle Chateau, Rotary Club of Farmington, and Waste Material Trucking are gold sponsors and DeLaurentis Management, EDM-architects/engineers, Farmington Chamber of Commerce, and Scully, Nicksa, and Reeve, LLP are silver sponsors.

For more information on the festival and Unionville Village Improvement Association, visit www.UVIACT.org.