Main Street News

Kent Sidewalk Sale Days bring exciting festivities and tons of savings to the Northwest Corner
This year, you can stop by the Kent Sidewalk Sale Days from Thursday August 1st through Sunday August 4th to enjoy a plethora of offerings and activities. While hours of the shops vary, the time frame is generally from 10am to 5pm each day, and the event takes place rain or shine! I spoke with Lyn Stirnweiss, administrative director at the Kent Chamber of Commerce, to learn more about the upcoming festivities, and Patricia Oris shared all the details about the Kent Democratic Town Committee’s first Vintage Fashion Sale.
The origins of the Days
About 50 years ago, the first Kent Sidewalk Sale occurred when former Country Clothes owner Carol Jalbert wanted to sell her shop’s inventory and make room for new items. Thus, her initiative inspired the inaugural launch, and every year since, the event has happened in some form or another, always during the first weekend of August from Thursday through Sunday.
Interestingly, the event has undergone many transformations before arriving at the iteration we can experience today. While “Kent Sidewalk Sale Days” was the initial name of the endeavor—a direct mirroring of the event’s components—it was renamed to the “Kent Sidewalk Festival” in 2010. This change was prompted by the number of merchants emerging with larger concepts for the weekend, including product demos, classes, concerts, and raffles.
However, plans had to be scaled back when COVID struck in 2020. The festival quickly took on a new form, “Shop Safe Summer Sales,” stretching out over three weekends instead of just one. This allowed for limited capacity in participating shops and aligned with social distancing recommendations at the time. The name “Kent Sidewalk Sale Days” was later reinstated, a common thread throughout the event’s history that also reflects some of the unfortunate business closures that took place post-pandemic.
Savings and activities to expect
The festivities planned for this year are sure to be a blast, and you’ll want to take advantage of the sales being showcased! A truly awe-inspiring list of Kent retailers will be participating in this year’s sales, so stop by any of these stores during the event, and you’re sure to find a deal: Chestnut Woodworking; Tarot in Thyme; Terston; Pantages Gems & Jewelry; Kent Computer Services; Koblenz & Co. Antique & Estate Jewelry; House of Books; D. Lorraine Aesthetics; Kent Greenhouse & Gardens; Foreign Cargo; Fife ‘n Drum Gift Shop; 45 on Main Coffee, Chocolate & Creamery; Sundog Shoe & Leather; and Heron Shop. For more details about each business’ deals, click here!
The fun doesn’t stop there. St. Andrew’s Church will be launching their popular tag sale on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Kent Memorial Library’s outdoor book sale and activities for the whole family will also be accompanied by a raffle for a 2021 Jeep Compass Limited!
Furthermore, on the Golden Falcon Lot, situated between Heron Shop and Cozzy’s Pizza on North Main Street, local non-profit organizations will be handing out information and answering questions about their groups. On Saturday and Sunday, the Kent Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a CPR demonstration on the Golden Falcon Lot as well.
Motoriot will be offering free rides and truck demos in addition to water and snacks. Meanwhile, Kent Yoga & Bodyworks and the Dow Integrative Institute will both be providing sales on yoga classes taking place during the Kent Sidewalk Sale Days.
Local eateries will be opening their doors, with plenty of delicious food and beverages for sale, while the Kent Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will sell tasty hot dogs and sesame noodles!
The idea for a fashion sale
As a new addition to the event, the Kent Democratic Town Committee will be holding their inaugural Vintage Fashion Sale. The idea was decided upon, Patricia explains, when discussing potential fundraisers for the organization.
“The idea of a fundraising vintage fashion sale was inspired by a conversation I had with my niece about the growing popularity of vintage and thrift shopping among young people,” Patricia describes. This popularity has arisen in part because of “environmental consciousness (the fashion industry is one of the most wasteful), and because vintage and thrift shops can inspire a more personal expression of style.”
When the committee welcomed the idea and saw it as feasible, they began arranging the pop-up in early spring in anticipation of the Sidewalk Sale Days. The goal, says Patricia, was to arrange “a unique collection of vintage and gently used clothing for women, men and children that would appeal to shoppers.”
Thus, thanks to the generous donations of community members, friends of the committee, and even some fashionable Democratic leaders in Connecticut, they have been able to acquire a notable selection of fashion you can choose from!
“We have a wide range of clothing and accessories: special occasion (formal) wear, day dresses, fun summer dresses, skirts, tops, slacks, suits, outerwear including two sheared beaver coats, shoes, sandals, hats, bags, gloves, jewelry,” Patricia outlines. “Designer labels include Armani, Diane von Furstenberg, Halston, Burberry, Piazza Sempione, Max Mara, Ferragamo, Etro.”
Clothing connecting the community
Reflecting on this undertaking, Patricia emphasizes that for the committee, which consists of many creative-minded individuals (painters, photographers, writers, designers, musicians, etc.), “the vintage fashion sale was a creative endeavor—a fun, collaborative project.”
And notably, the community returned this passion for the pop-up by contacting the group, making donations, and at times, becoming directly involved with the project and joining the team. Some even happily donated their most cherished items. “They shared some of their favorite pieces with us along with the wonderful memories attached to them,” Patricia notes.
Therefore, the highlight of the whole plan, by far, has been the way it’s helped the community connect through fashion. “The best part,” shares Patricia, “[is that] we all made new friends over clothes and the memories they sparked.”
All in all, the Kent Sidewalk Sale Days will provide ample opportunities to shop local, support Kent’s businesses, and enjoy major savings in the process! The event encourages visitors to become familiar with retailers, shops, and non-profits in a fun and engaging way. And with the Kent Democratic Town Committee’s Vintage Fashion Sale launching for the very first time, you’ll have the chance to find unique vintage and gently used pieces that each come with memories of their own. The event is sure to be a great success and you don’t want to miss it!
Images courtesy of the Kent Chamber of Commerce and Kent Democratic Town Committee. To learn more about Kent Sidewalk Sale Days, happening this Thursday August 1st through Sunday August 4th in the town of Kent, CT, please visit www.kentct.com/kent-sidewalk-sale-days.