In Photos: New Haven Celebrates The Hill

The family of community activist and former Hill Parents Association President Fred Harris poses for a portrait together in honor of the 40 years he has been serving the Hill Neighborhood. The International Festival of Arts & Ideas held its celebration of the Hill neighborhood last Saturday. Alisha Martindale Photos.

Watercolor artist Joyce Lee, who is also a visiting PhD Scholar from Peking University, showcases her artistic talents at The Hill Festival open-air vendor fair. Here, she not only demonstrates her skills but also sells her own handcrafted creations. 

Hill resident Bud Mench brings vibrancy to the Hill Neighborhood Festival with his bold attire. Reflecting on the many years he has attended the event, he shares, "I've been coming for years, for the old school hip hop salute. This is a great event, keep it up!"

Shenae Draughn and Karen DuBois-Walton of Elm City Communities take a minute to discuss ongoing initiatives to incorporate the voices and visions of Hill residents into neighborhood development. "We are doing a lot of planning in the Hill Neighborhood around Union Square, which most people know as the area across from the Train Station," DuBois-Walton said. "We are here getting community input and envisioning what they would like to see as they come out of the train station. It's a great entryway into the city - we want to have housing that is affordable for families but we want to know what else the community wants to see."

John Guillemette, Missy Huber and Sha McAllister, all members of the hardworking crew at The International Festival of Arts and Ideas, takes a moment to cheese for the camera and promo the 2024 Arts and Ideas event catalog.

Lillie Carmen of Lillie Roberta Natural Products shares a better look at some of her hand-made body scrubs while reminiscing on the last five years of attending the Hill Neighborhood Festival. When asked what the most important part about hosting this event every year is, she said, "Community, yeah. Community. It brings people out. A lot of people from back in the day come back and see if they can meet up with the people they grew up with."

Hill Neighborhood kids and guests take a minute to test their jump rope skills in the rec and refreshment space set up at the Hill Neighborhood Festival.

Loraine Cannon, Jerry Cannon, Raylin Carr, and Quadyr Cannon pose for a family portrait in front of the Arts and Ideas Mobile Stage at the Hill Neighborhood Festival. When asked about the event, Loraine stated, "I've lived here for 25 years and I come every time I hear about it. The best part of this event is seeing the people, seeing how things are here, and seeing that everybody is fine and taking care of stuff, you know, coming back together. It's always good to see everybody".

A & I Festival Director Shelley Quiala, Carlah Esdaile Bragg, Dr. Pamela Monk Kelley and Sophie Edelstein.

Jean Nelson, a resident of the Hill Neighborhood since 1974, shares her thoughts on why this event means so much to the Hill community. "It gets people together, keeps people in the neighborhood, knowing that we all still live around here. It is a chance for everybody to come back and get together. I enjoy all of it".

Hill residents and guests got a chance to move and groove during a special movement session with Unity Fitness of New Haven while DJs set up for the 40th Anniversary of the Trowbridge Hip Hop Festival in the background.

Graffiti artist and CT rapper-producer, DJ Dooley-O, creates a custom spray-painted design during the Hill Neighborhood Festival.

The Henderson family of New Risen Christ International Ministry made their way all the way from Detroit to honor and support Fred Harris. When asked why they made the trip, they stated,
"To be supportive and show love not only to our apostle, Fred Harris, but also to his community where he grew up and where he was giving back."

Friends and family reunite to enjoy live music, dancing, and togetherness at the Hill Neighborhood Festival.

Jeffrey Walker and Venetia Armfield embrace during the Hill Neighborhood Festival. When asked about the significance of the event, they said, "It's about bringing everyone back to the community, showing them where the DJs came from." Venetia continued, "My favorite part is seeing people I haven't seen in years."

Nicole and Jada Hughey share a moment of excitement as the 40th Annual Trowbridge Hip-Hop Festival begins and the beats start booming throughout the square.

DJs who were there during the rise of the hip-hop movement remind neighborhood kids that they were once kids themselves before inviting them on stage to dance to classic hip-hop songs they helped make famous.