Main Street Snaps "Big Picture" Next Week

The changing venues again as has been the custom since it was started in 2008, is this year hoping to bring in three times as many people as appeared for the last event.

Hosted by , the Big Picture seeks to attract as many New Londoners as possible to the Parade for a group photograph. The band Joey and the Boys will provide live music beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday and keep playing through 6 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. sharp, the group will assemble and photographer will shoot the scene from the deck at .

“This is the first year we’ve really been working to promote it, so we’re hoping to triple the number,” said Joanne Gibson, volunteer coordinator with New London Main Street.

The Big Picture started in the atrium of the Harris Building, where New London Main Street has its offices. It moved to in 2009 and the steps of the last year, attracting about 100 people.

Gibson said participants will be asked to guess the number of people who appear in the photo, and the closest number will receive a prize basket of items donated by downtown businesses. Attendees will also receive a sticker good for $10 off any performance at the Garde.

The event is sponsored by the Garde and runs in conjunction with , a Tony Award-winning musical taking to the stage at 7:30 p.m. that evening. The other sponsor, , will broadcast live music from the event. A second photo after the Big Picture will celebrate the station’s 30th anniversary.