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Discover the Park: May 9, 2026 at Fort Trumbull State Park
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Discover the Park

Please join us on May 9, 2026

TRHP Partner ONLY vendor registration
Vendor Checklist

The Park is pleased to invite you to participate in Thames River Heritage Park Foundation: Discover the Park! on Saturday, May 9, from 10AM – 2PM at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, CT.

This event is designed to celebrate the incredible organizations that help bring the TRHP to life, while also welcoming the broader community to learn more about the programs, services, and experiences available throughout the region.

Expect a festive, welcoming, and educational Saturday that will provide an opportunity for partners to connect directly with families, residents, and visitors while strengthening our shared visibility and impact.

The event will feature:
• Explore Local Organizations & Activities
• Family, Friendly, Interactive Fun
• Live Music Performances
• Food Trucks
• Face Painting & Caricatures
• Games

Participating Vendors at Fair:

Avery-Copp House Museum
Bill Memorial Library
Harkness Memorial State Park
Hempsted Houses
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Submarine Force Library & Museum
Custom House Maritime Museum / New London Maritime Society
CT Landmarks
Friends of Fort Griswold
Friends of Fort Trumbull
New London Landmarks
OpSail Connecticut Inc.
CT Sea Grant
Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts of America
League of Women Voters
USS Groton
Hall Communication
Banana Leaf Crafts
Food Trucks (for purchase)
Italian Ice (for purchase)

….and more!

June Henley 
Director, TRHPF

Julie Cagle 
TRHP Programming Committee Member 
and Event Organizer

Kathy Lotring 
Executive Director
Submarine Force Library & Museum Association

Entertainment Lineup

10 AM Radio remote broadcast, 97.7 WCTY 10AM-12PM
11 – 11:15 AM Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps for 15 minutes
12 – 12:30 PM Tom Callinan 30 minutes 12-12:30
12:30 – 12:45 PM Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps for 15 minutes
12:45 PM – 1 PM Music until 1 PM
1 PM – 1:30 PM Tom Callinan 30 minutes 1-1:30
1:30 PM – 2 PM Music until 2 PM 

Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps The Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps is an award-winning youth musical organization from Groton, CT. The corps celebrated their 75th Anniversary in 2023, and is the second oldest active junior fife & drum corps in the United States. Our biggest need is fifers! Although we have instructors, we really need kids that can already read music and play an instrument that can learn the music quickly and join our ranks as soon as possible. Performing at 11AM and again at 12:30PM
97.7 WCTY has always been a staple for country fans, signing on in the early late 70’s as one of the first FM Country Stations in New England. Many thanks to both the WCTY staff and to Hall Communications, for whom WCTY is part of their communications family!
Tom Callinan – singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has been a full-time creative and performing artist since 1977. In 1991 he was designated Connecticut's 1st "Official State Troubadour" via legislation passed by the CT General Assembly, and signed into law by then-Governor Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. His repertoire includes: historical, folk, old-timey, nostalgic, and popular songs of yesteryear; raising the rafters with Irish ditties and ballads; belting out sea songs and chanteys; original songs and tunes; or telling all sorts of stories. In 1999, Tom represented Connecticut at the John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

For Vendors:

  • We invite each participating partner to host your own vendor-style space to showcase what you do and what you offer. To encourage meaningful engagement with visitors, we ask that each partner include at least one family- and/or youth-friendly activity at their table, something interactive that invites the public to participate, learn, or create.
  • Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 15, to confirm your participation and space needs. To RSVP or for additional information, please contact any of the (3) organizers below. 

Additional logistical details, including setup times and space specifications, will be shared closer to the event date. We hope you will consider joining us for this exciting community-focused celebration.

We look forward to celebrating with you on May 9.

Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs

For the public

The Partner Open House Fair is a community gathering hosted by Thames River Heritage Park Foundation that brings together our Heritage Sites and Institutional Partners and local organizations to share what they do, connect with neighbors, and celebrate the many stories and resources along the Thames River.

Saturday, May 9th, 2026 10:00 A. M. to 2:00 P. M. at Fort Trumbull State Park

Yes! The event is free and open to everyone. The only exception will be those businesses who will have drinks or food items for sale.

Community members, families, educators, volunteers, and anyone curious about the Park and the organizations that make it so vibrant.

Meet our partners, explore programs and volunteer opportunities, enjoy informal networking, and discover new ways to get involved in the Park community.

There will be some live performances by student musicians. There will also be interactive activities throughout the day. There will be face painting, caricaturists and games plus whatever activities are available.

There will be several food trucks and a couple of other vendors with food or beverage items for sale. The Boy Scouts Troop will be selling bottles of water and/or sodas as a fundraiser for themselves.

Yes. If you need accommodations, please contact us at one of the email addresses above.

For vendors

Our Heritage Sites and Institutional Partners must register that they are participating no later than April 15, 2026. Community members do NOT have to register.

Yes. If you need accommodations, please contact us at one of the email addresses above.

Food vendors must provide insurance to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to satisfy the SUL permit requirements. Please see below.

Eligible partners are invited to host an information table and share marketing materials and/or interactive activities.

Each Partner Heritage Site and Institutional Site are responsible for their own vendor tents, tables and chairs. It is also advisable to bring tent weights, in case it gets windy. Additional needs should be requested in advance. We will be providing water throughout the day.

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