The charming fictional small town, Stars Hollow, Connecticut came to life this fall. During the weekend of October 21-23, just a month ahead of the series revival, fans from near and far flocked to Washington Depot, CT for the Gilmore Girls Fan Fest.
From day one, I was ready for fast-talking and highly caffeinated fans. What I found was a whole lot more: a sense of community. Between the residents and visitors alike, people made an effort to talk to each other—in person. Now maybe this was because the cell phone service was spotty. But, I would like to think it was because people wanted to exist as Lorelai and Rory for a brief moment in time. They wanted to experience the town that inspired the series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino.
There were several locations around town where fantasy turned into reality.
1. Luke’s Diner
In the Washington Supply Company, a local hardware store, the owner Jay Combs created a tribute to Luke’s Diner. In a corner of the store, he set up a table with a menu, ketchup and mustard bottles and coffee mugs. He even offered to snap photos of people coming to his store for the sole purpose of photo ops, like mine. Not sure if Luke Danes would do that, but I certainly appreciated the hospitality.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Isman
2. The Independence Inn
On the second day of the festival, fans hopped on a bus to The Mayflower Grace. This is the luxury boutique hotel where the show was conceived, including the idea for Lorelai’s first workplace, The Independence Inn. During the visit, fans got to stroll through the hotel’s gardens and taste the kitchen’s delectable scones and tea.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Isman
3. Town Hall
Washington Depot’s Town Hall is where many of the weekend’s festivities took place. On Saturday night, fans listened to a cast panel inside the Town Hall or in a nearby tent (depending on their ticket holder status). Fictional band Hep Alien also reunited on the steps of the Town Hall. And, on the same steps, children from the town reenacted famous paintings in a tribute to “The Festival of Living Art.”
Photo courtesy of Ashley Isman
Photo courtesy of Ashley Isman
4. Jackson’s Farm
Jackson Douglas plays Jackson Belleville, an eccentric produce supplier and husband of Sookie St. James. In New Preston, CT, he spent the day in his lumberjack coat taking photos with fans in a local farmer’s supply store called The Smithy. The rebuilt blacksmith shop focuses on products made using sustainable, organic practices. It is worth a visit if you are in town. Fun fact: Jackson was the first actor to agree to attend the festival. This is one of the many reasons why fans love him.
5. Doose’s Market
The local grocery store, Washington Food Market, resembled Doose’s Market. It is a tiny, family-owned store. We would be remiss if we did not mention that it carries cornstarch in one of its aisles (from season one). Although there were not any real-life Taylor or Dean characters in the store, I was happy to find snacks that would make Lorelai and Rory proud. This stash sustained my binge-watch of the episodes.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Isman
Were you in Washington Depot during the Fan Festival? What was your favorite activity of the weekend? If you were not there, would what you have liked to see?