An interfaith vigil Friday night offers Newtown a "time of prayer, song, community and care" -- just one of several events in Newtown and the surrounding area marking remembrance in the six months since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
The vigil is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Hills soccer fields, but in case of rain will relocate to the Newtown Congregational Church at 14 West Street. If it goes on as planned, residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to Fairfield Hills.
At 9:30 a.m., Mayors Against Illegal Guns will hold a moment of silence outside Edmond Town Hall, joined by some community members, according to a spokesperson for the group. Original reports had listed Gov. Dannel Malloy and Rep. Elizabeth Esty as among the participants in a press conference following the moment of silence, but representatives for Malloy and Esty said they would not be attending.
Throughout the day, family and community members will read out names of victims of gun violence in what the organization calls "a day of remembrance and a call to action."
The event is the kickoff for "No More Names: National Drive to Reduce Gun Violence," a 100-day, 25-state tour bringing survivors of gun violence and family of victims to communities for rallies.
Other events of interest to the community, though not connected to the six-month mark: Ben's Lighthouse Festival, named for shooting victim Ben Wheeler, on Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church according to Rector Kathie Adams-Shepherd. In Stratford, the organization Sandy Ground Project will commemorate a memorial playground Saturday in memory of teacher Victoria Soto, who lost her life in the shooting.
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