Families enjoy final Sunday Funday of the year in Westerly

Westerly ― On any other day, the curly, red wig, 1970s-style colorful, flowered dress and heavy string of half-inch-thick beads draped around 45-year-old Linda Dutra's neck would have made her stick out like a sore thumb among the more regularly dressed patrons at Pooch's Pour House.But on Sunday she was among 36 men and women dressed just like her on the second floor of the downtown family sports bar. The sports bar was the first stop along a pub crawl called "Mrs. Roper's Romp," where the crawlers dressed as Helen Roper, a quirky landlady from the 1970s television sitcom "Three's Company."The crawl was one of the highlights of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce's last "Sunday Funday" of this year. Sunday Funday, which the chamber has held on High Street for the past four years, is like a big block party featuring vendors, games and music. Started during the COVID-19 pandemic out of a need for social distancing, the annual event since then has encouraged families from other communities to come visit the area, and helps to stimulate area small businesses.Out on the street in front of the Pour House, the chamber's president, Lisa Konicki, was also in on the costume party, welcoming other costumed guests inside. There she explained why the romp has become a phenomenon, with NPR reporting last month that similar parties are being held across the country."People could relate to her because she was funny, she was friendly, and she was very flamboyant with her clothing," Konicki explained. Dutra participated in the romp last year. Her friend, 48-year-old Nicole Gagnon of North Stonington, said this was her first year joining in, but that she'd definitely do it again, and enjoyed seeing how the costumes with everyone's different take on the same character."It's a great way to meet people," Dutra said.Two bands played in the street, with a few people dancing to the music.At a table, kids were painting holiday ornaments. Ten-year-old Eli Lavarato, of Westerly, clearly a big superhero fan, held up a glass ball that had a bat symbol inside, and then showed off a little figure made of pipe cleaners, which he said was Ghost Rider. On the table behind him there were many paper plates splattered with paint, and other supplies littered the table.Past that crafts tent, people were playing mini-golf.There Diane Marchigiano, of Pawcatuck, watched her 9-year-old niece Isabella, and Isabella's grandmother play. Marchigiano said she likes the Sunday Funday events because they support small businesses, and hopes to see the event return for a fifth year.Konicki said that depends on whether the businesses want to do it it again. Each year they are surveyed if they want Sunday Funday, and each year they've said yes. Konicki added that their sales are improved as a result of the influx of people from the events. "And it just brings people together downtown for family-fun activities," she added.In the middle of the street, sisters Marri and Keely Deninger, both of Westerly, spent about half an hour competing over cornhole. But Marri, who had just won their latest round, said the best part of the day had been getting to spend time with her sister.Konicki said Westerly "has a beautiful and historic downtown with gorgeous architecture and a vibrant business district.""This is the pulse of the community and this is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, especially during Sunday Funday," she added.d.drainville@theday.com