Quinnipiac Riverfest Brightens Fair Haven

The June sunlight sparkled off the smooth waters of the Quinnipiac River beside the Quinnipiac River Marina in Fair Haven, where people of all ages gathered to participate in the Quinnipiac Riverfest this Saturday.

A large stage dominated a corner of the area, surrounded by stalls for vendors, small businesses, and nonprofits. Beside the stage was a sign-up for kayak rentals, 15 minutes each. The community came together to celebrate local artists and businesses, as well as the culture surrounding the beautiful body of water that winds through the neighborhood.

The Chatham Square Neighborhood Association put on the festival to foster a feeling of community, explained Jonathan Perlich, co-owner of the Quinnipiac River Marina. Riverfest has been going on for several years, and Perlich helped to bring it back in 2022 after a lapse during the pandemic, responding to popular demand from the neighborhood. 

“We want to make sure it’s a free event and a charitable event,” Perlich said.

It was also an event about history, and to reinforce that point, Perlich introduced Jennifer Rawlings, a member of the Wampanoag, indigenous to the Northeastern U.S. ​“The Quinnipiac River is an indigenous place, and I’m here to honor the past, present, and future of these people,” said Rawlings.

Lee Cruz, a neighborhood resident and co-organizer of Riverfest, rushed from stall to stall answering questions and providing materials. ​“The purpose of this event is to let people know that Fair Haven is an historic neighborhood, and it’s very diverse,” he said. ​“What we’re getting here is people who live here and people who visit to come together to enjoy our history, our community, and this beautiful waterfront.”

Cruz delivered a large piece of paper to act as a covering for a table run by a group of young entrepreneurs. His 13-year-old son, Pablo Cruz, worked with 12-year-old Nadav Allentoch to sell an array of 3D printed items. Pablo creates the items at MakeHaven, and Nadav prints them with his 3D printer. The boys had never vended at the festival before, but Pablo recalled watching it grow and flourish over the years.

At the table next to them, Nadav’s 12-year-old brother Matan Allentoch sold his handmade meltable bead bowls. Matan had sold his products at other festivals before, but never at Riverfest. He enjoyed his time at the festival, saying ​“there’s a ton of different sellers and you can buy a bunch of different things.”

Some of the stalls housed nonprofit organizations, highlighting the festival’s commitment to giving back to the community. Melissa Cisija and Tatum Courtmanche sat at the table for Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS).

“We’re hoping to get people in the community interested,” said Cisija. ​“We want to have a presence in every community in New Haven.” Cisija stressed the importance of festivals like Riverfest, saying ​“first and foremost, it brings the community together, it gives a platform for local businesses,” it ​“teach[es] people about the organizations in the community.”

Under the shade of a white tent, Dolores Johneisha Dubose ran the table for Breathless Boutique, selling jewelry and clothing, some of it handmade. ​“I like these events because you get to meet a lot of different people,” said Dubose. ​“They should have these events more often. That way people have somewhere to go.”

Her neighbor, Lynette Devore of The Lady of Essence, agreed with her. Devore sold bags in an array of colors. Saturday marked her first appearance at Riverfest, although she has been well known in the festival circuit for 16 years. ​“You get to see people you haven’t seen all winter, listen to music, and it’s a great place for networking,” she said.

“I really like talking to the people, it’s a really good community,” said Sandy Flores, at the CitySeed table. The New Haven nonprofit hosts a farmer’s market three times a week, provides small business owners with resources, and runs Sanctuary Kitchen, where refugee chefs come in and make food, giving them employment opportunities and community. It was Flores’s second year at Riverfest, and she was looking for volunteers for the markets.

Nearby, Lisa Angelica ran the table for the Fair Haven Garden Exchange, a nursery that grows and sells plants. ​“Part of the mission is to help alleviate food insecurity,” explained Angelica. ​“If people bring me a pot, I give them a plant. If they bring me a plant, they can trade it for a different one.” She started the business in 2022, capitalizing on the increased interest in gardening following the pandemic. Angelica enjoys the sense of community at Riverfest. ​“I love the people, and I love to go to different stalls,” she said. ​“I usually spend most of the money I make here.”

On the main stage, a series of performers filled the fair with music. Among the acts was William Fluker and the Nspyre Band, composed of William Fluker on trumpet, Lisa Bellamy Fluker on vocals, Morris Trent on guitar, Steve Clarke on bass, and Marco Santana on drums. They performed a series of songs including a cover of ​“Summertime.” As if in response to Bellamy Fluker’s transcendent singing, the sun, which had shifted behind some clouds, came out again in full force.

They also performed Bellamy Fluker’s original song, ​“What Will It Take,” an anthem about caring for each other as a community. ​“What will it take for us to see / That we need each other like a family,” sang Bellamy Fluker, her voice strong and true. As the crowd paused from their wandering from stall to stall to stop and applaud, she left them with a message of community that summed up what the Quinnipiac Riverfest was all about: coming together, supporting each other, and lifting up the neighborhood as a collective. ​“No matter where you come from, no matter your background, we need each other,” she said. Her words ran true to the spirit of the day, as bright and optimistic as the sun overhead.