A year in review of Bristol’s 2022 arts, entertainment and community events

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A boy waves the American Flag at the Mum Festival parade. | Laura Bailey

Posted By: Laura Bailey December 31, 2022

By Laura Bailey

Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School (BAIMS) Opens: One century after its construction, the former Bristol High school opened its doors to scholars once more. The Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School (BAIMS) on Memorial Park Boulevard offers Bristol middle school and high school students the opportunity to study art, music and theater. 

Architect Angela Cahill and Dr. Michael Dieter. | Laura Bailey
Crowd laughing
Former Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu reacts to Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell’s comedic arrival. | Laura Bailey

BAIMS
The Bristol Arts and Ideas Magnet School (BAIMS). | Laura Bailey
People clapping
The crowd applauds the BAIMS Building Committee. | Laura Bailey

Rockwell Theater
The Stage of the Rockwell Theater. | Laura Bailey
Orchestra seats in the Rockwell Theater at BAIMS. | Laura Bailey

MLK 39 Mural Unveiled on Primo Press Building: A mural honoring the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. was unveiled on Riverside Avenue. The mural features late nationally recognized art lecturer and Bristol resident Barbara Ann Hudson, as well as civil rights activist Maya Angelou. 

View of the MLK mural on Primo Press from the New England Carousel Museum parking lot. | Laura Bailey Photo
Artist Micaela Levesque paints the Mural. | Laura Bailey

Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano speaks at the mural reveal ceremony. | Laura Bailey
A crowd gathers in front of the mural at the reveal ceremony. | Laura Bailey

Children painting a mural at the mural reveal ceremony. | Laura Bailey
Late Bristol resident Barbara Hudson is honored in the MLK mural. | Laura Bailey

Bristol Hosts Third Annual Community Conversation: Bristol community members met at Rockwell Park to discuss issues of inclusion, diversity and equity during the third annual Community Conversation. Facilitated by Kamora Le’Ella Herrington, friends and neighbors spoke with one another about what celebrations of diversity looked like in their households. 

Bristol resident Laura Minor speaks to the crowd. | Laura Bailey
The crowd at the community conversation. | Laura Bailey

Activist Camelia Lopez speaks to the crowd. | Laura Bailey
The crowd at the community conversation. | Laura Bailey

Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano applauds Jaymie Bianca’s speech. | Laura Bailey
The crowd at the community conversation. | Laura Bailey

Mum Festival Celebrates 60 Years: The annual Bristol Mum Festival celebrated its 60th birthday with a weekend filled with music, food trucks, amusement rides and family entertainment. Festivalgoers flocked to Memorial Park Boulevard donning tie-dye shirts, boho headbands and fringe vests to celebrate “60 years of flower power.”

The Carousel at the Mum Festival midway. | Laura Bailey
Two girls ride the dragon coaster at the Mum Festival. | Laura Bailey

Hubbell students wave from their school float. | Laura Bailey
Shriners ride in the Mum Festival parade. | Laura Bailey

Children play in the funhouse at the Mum Festival. | Laura Bailey
The Bristol Fire Department in the Mum Festival Parade

Rockwell Park Summer Festival Returns: After a two-year hiatus due to COVID precautions, the Rockwell Park Summer Festival attracted hundreds of Bristol residents and a record number 155 booths. Hosted by the West End Association, attendees delighted in food trucks, live music, face painting and games. 

A young girl makes a giant bubble. | Laura Bailey
The crowd at the Rockwell Park Summer Festival. | Laura Bailey

The Making Bristol Better Booth. | Laura Bailey
Tiny Tim with his parrot Skittles. | Laura Bailey

Inner Groove playing in the Gazebo. | Laura Bailey
A family walking around the Rockwell Park Summer Festival. | Laura Bailey

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About the Author

Laura Bailey
Photographer and photojournalist living in Bristol Connecticut

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