Artwell’s Floatable Artwork Regatta and Picnic

From wheelbarrows turned into turtles to centipedes made of buckets, expect the unexpected at the 7th annual Floatable Artwork Regatta and Picnic. This whimsical one-of-a-kind event sponsored by Artwell Gallery will be held on Sunday, July 14 (rain date is July 21) from noon-4 p.m. at John A. Minetto State Park, Route 272 (Norfolk Rd.) in Torrington. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the free fun and the beauty of the park, which is located at the headwaters of the Naugatuck River in the lovely Litchfield Hills of northwest Connecticut.

The regatta is open to would-be artists of any age who want to create art pieces for the wacky parade of floats. Entries may be anywhere from six inches to six feet in length, and almost anything that floats is eligible. A 12-year-old took the first prize "Rubber Ducky" award in 2001 with a centipede made of hand-painted buckets with red ribbon legs and feelers. The runner-up, done by a metal sculptor, was a turtle with an upside down wheelbarrow body and spades for arms and legs. Other entries included aliens on a foil-wrapped dreamscape, cellophane-wrapped frogs on a lily pad, a ring of flying fairies, and a spider-covered globe representing the World Wide Web.

The crowd will also be cheering their favorite racers in the Rubber Ducky Dash, an annual favorite. Many area businesses sponsor the ducks to help support the event.

There will be family fun on land, as well. The day starts with a parade led by a young King Neptune, with masks, costumes and musical instruments available for all the kids and young-at-heart adults who want to march. Area musicians often appear, taking part in the parade and providing entertainment later. Activities for children will include a scavenger hunt, relay games, and workshops making hats, jewelry, paper fish and other crafts.

Registration for entries to the regatta will be from 11 a.m.-noon on race day, July 14. Prizes are awarded for originality and artistic merit, but everyone who enters receives a small prize.

Those who want inspiration can attend a float workshop from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6 at the Artwell Gallery, 19 Water St. in Torrington. Participants may bring their own materials or use those on hand at the gallery. A $5 donation is requested for the workshop.

The Artwell Gallery is a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in 1995 to give area artists a place to mingle. It has grown into a regional center for the visual and performing arts, with six exhibitions each year and many special events and performances. Information on the Floatable Artwork Regatta and the float workshop is available at 860-482-5122.