Activities for all ages on tap at Recovery Festival

By Deborah Rose

An all-day event packed with entertainment, art, a 5K run is planned for Aug. 25 in New Milford.

The fourth annual Overdose Awareness 5K Run & Recovery Festival, hosted by the Brian Cody’s Brothers and Sisters Foundation, will run from 9:30 a.m. to dusk on the Village Green.

Prior to that, a 5K Awareness Run/Walk will be held at Young’s Field at 7:30 a.m.

The heart of the festival is hope, specifically for individuals and families facing substance abuse issues, according to Tony Morrissey, founder and president of the nonprofit foundation.

Morrissey co-founded the foundation with his wife, Tracey, after losing their son, Brian Cody Waldron, 20, to a drug overdose in August 2019.

“While we’re super excited to host this event for the fourth year, the sad part is it’s still needed,” Morrissey said.

“We are continually contacted by people trying to help someone, or by someone who is struggling themselves,” he said, adding that this year is just as important as the first year of the festival.

Resident and event volunteer Billy Gilbert said “it means a lot” to be part of the team that presents the festival because “we try to erase the stigma” that accompanies substance abuse and “let people know there is hope.”

“I like to be a beacon of hope” to others, said Gilbert, who has been clean for 28 years and sober for four years.

One festival aspect Gilbert enjoys is hearing guests share their personal stories. 

He described the power of seeing how substance abuse impacts “all different walks of life.”

“As Tony would say, ‘It’s not a rich people’s problem, it’s not a poor people’s problem. It’s a people problem.” 

Gilbert said he also appreciates seeing “people seek assistance and find a path to recovery.”

“And if we can’t help you, we know someone who can,” he said.

Connection is an integral part of the festival, whether it’s making a connection: with another family going through a similar situation, to a valuable resource that can provide tools for healing and/or recovery, or with emotion stirred through the art or music offered at the event.

“We just passed the five-year anniversary of losing Brian Cody, and this event brings us a lot of light,” Morrissey said. 

“The real power of this, though, is it’s not just about my family,” he said. “It’s about all those, who like my family, are finding their way to light in these terrible circumstances.”

Volunteer Deztiny Di Meo said she has known Morrissey since she was a youth, but reconnected with him after she lost a cousin to substance abuse around the same time Brian Cody died.

“I think (the festival) is a great way to spread awareness... and take away the stigma," Di Meo said.

“A lot of people think of addiction in a negative context, and that addicts are worthless,” she said. “They’re not. Most of them don’t do drugs with the intention of dying. They have families and they are loved.”

The event draws attendees from the Greater New Milford and Danbury region. However, the foundation’s reach has grown and now families from across Connecticut, as well as Massachusetts and New York come to town for this special event.

“It’s definitely a homegrown, organic kind of thing,” Morrissey said. “It’s really beautiful.”

WHAT TO EXPECT

The festival will feature an assortment of activities for all ages.

New this year, the 7:30 a.m. 5K will be sanctioned and timed by FastTrack. Registration is free.

Medals will be awarded for the best time(s), and each participant will receive a commemorative keychain.

Meanwhile, activities will get rolling on the Village Green at 9:30 a.m. and continue through dusk.

Games, face painting, balloon twisting, a silent auction, a magic show, food trucks, live music, a youth rap artist, carnival games, and an anti-bullying play, and more will be offered in a Kids’ Zone.

“There’s nothing better than seeing kids running around with each and being carefree, in spite of their loved one struggling,” Morrissey said. “That brings hope, that’s a beacon.”

Local artists and crafters will attend, and an art exhibit featuring works by those impacted by substance abuse will be displayed.

Recovery advisory stations led by subject matter experts will be on site, local recovery providers will participate, and Narcan training will be available.

In addition, inspirational guests and musical performers will be interspersed throughout the day at the bandstand. 

Guest speakers will include Jonathan Mendonca, local author of “Life on Life's Terms;” Natasha Tosada of CCAR, who will present a Recovery Coaching Scholarship presentation; Brother Shawn; and representatives from the New Milford Opioid Settlement Task Force.

New Milford Mayor Pete Bass will also address attendees.

“It will be super powerful,” Morrissey said of the guest speakers.

Live music will be performed throughout the day.

Musicians will include Ethan James, Southern Voice Band, Jordan Meyer, Dave Del Monte & The Cross County Boys, and Mir Bishop.

For the second year in a row, Skyler Ray and Kala Mulcahy from Oregon will head east to perform, with special guest Kinghansom of Rhode Island.

For those who are hungry, food can be purchased at several food trucks: Rich’s Wings & Things, Rice to Meat You, Royal Crepe, and Jesse’s Ice Cream.

Morrissey said the foundation connected with 2nd Act of Boston, a non-profit Theater Production organization that has been presenting plays and performances for 40 years.

The organization will perform “I’ll Never Do That,” a live play that sheds light on family dynamics, the path to recovery, and how addiction is a “family disease,” at 6 p.m.

The festival will conclude with a special Peter Stewart Luminary Presentation, a candlelight vigil honoring the memory of those lost to substance abuse in the community. 

For more information, email Info@BrianCodysLaw.org, find Brian Cody’s Law on Facebook, or visit https://www.briancodyslaw.org.

Courtesy of Michelle Roman Photography/A variety of children's games and activities will be offered.

Courtesy of Michelle Roman Photography/A 5K at Young's Field will kick off the festival at 7:30 p.m.

Courtesy of Michelle Roman Photography/Guest speakers will share their personal stories during the festival.

Courtesy of Michelle Roman Photography/Tony Morrissey, founder of Brian Cody's Brothers and Sisters Foundation, right, and other volunteers welcome the public to the annual event.

Courtesy of Michelle Roman Photography/Carnival rides and more will be offered.