Brian Slattery Photos
The fifth annual New Haven Grand Prix and Apizza Feast once again filled downtown New Haven with cyclists and spectators, bringing thousands of people out to enjoy the sport of cycling, good food, and lots of company.
By late Friday afternoon the course — which ran, as in years past, from Chapel Street to High Street to Elm Street to Temple Street and back to Chapel Street — had been cordoned off. Races began at 4 p.m. Even before the workday was over, a few spectators had arrived.
“Make that money! Make that money!” a spectator shouted to the cyclists along Chapel Street.
Vuvuzelas were handed out to the youth division of cyclists shortly before their race; these horns would provide a constant soundtrack to the evening as they made their ways into the hands of youth and adults alike.
Diners began to arrive for the array of food trucks lined up for a simultaneous Apizza Feast on College Street north of Chapel Street shortly after 5 p.m. It cost $5 to get into the food truck area with a discount for families. Once inside, diners could choose from several pizza places, ranging from Next Door’s Big Green Truck to Zuppardi’s to Abate’s. Consiglio’s food truck served other Italian fare. Those whose cravings lay elsewhere could get a grilled cheese from Caseus, Mediterrean food from Pitaziki, tacos from Holy Guacamole, and other options from Oak Haven and Chris and Roy’s.
Youth division races got underway as the sky began to darken.
On College Street south of Chapel Street, intrepid climbers could scale a climbing wall.
Those who wanted to stay earthbound could play lawn games in the street …
… or try their hand at giant-sized Jenga and Connect Four …
.. or play a round of ping pong.
The races continued as more spectators arrived and began to line Chapel Street on both sides.
By dark the Apizza Feast was thronged with people, perhaps as busy as this reporter has seen it — with a lot of people bringing their families. At least one child was well rewarded for their attendance at the Consiglio’s truck, as an employee heaped powdered sugar onto the child’s fried dough, to the child’s delight.
“Just tell me when to stop,” the Consiglio’s employee said.
“He’s not going to tell you,” said an onlooker.
The child giggled.
“More?” the employee said. He stopped; the dough was getting pretty full.
“No, more!” said a woman nearby.
Back on College Street to the south of Chapel, The Owl Shop threw open its doors and its outdoor seating filled.
Inside, Claire’s was crowded.
A few diners at Basta chose to eat race-side.
Chapel Street’s foot traffic was busy enough to attract an Anonymous-style protest calling attention to the treatment of animals in the food industry.
The corner of Chapel and High proved to be another gathering spot. The Elm City Party Bike trundled by, undeterred by the road closings. “You’re all winners!” someone on the party bike yelled to the passing cyclists.
