BRIGHTON — Downtown Brighton is preparing to transform itself into a scene straight from "Gilmore Girls."
The popular television show, which follows the life of mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory Gilmore and other members of the small town they inhabit, has accumulated millions of viewers since the series first aired in the early 2000s.
Thousands of these fans are flocking to Brighton this September for a themed festival that will see Main Street transformed into Stars Hollow.
"Destination Stars Hollow: A Gilmore Fan Celebration" will run 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. During the event, more than 30 local businesses will adopt the persona of businesses or characters featured in the television show.
Community members Kathleen London and Laura Boote are responsible for organizing the festival. After connecting during an event London hosted last year, they hope to bring the "small town" feel to Brighton.
“Whether you connect the dots or not, every Main Street has the potential to be your own Stars Hollow," said London, who owns makeup and cosmetics store London Beauty.
London and Boote originally hoped to see 500 fans attend the festival. Two weeks after they put out the announcement, the RSVPs were more than 10 times that — and another 25,000 are interested.
The event has already stirred up excitement among businesses in the community. While the celebration will include a variety of sights and activities — including a town troubadour, a knit-a-thon, a look-alike contest, trivia and a town hall meeting — the main attraction is Brighton itself. Destinations will include Luke’s Diner and the Dragonfly Inn, and visitors will receive souvenir passports to document the places they visit.
London and Boote are also working to get local restaurants involved, after people online inquired about Friday Night Dinners.
“The reason we’re making (the celebration) free … is mainly because we want people to shop,” London said. “That’s the goal. Come and support your local economy.”
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The past several years haven’t been easy on Brighton businesses. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the year-long Main Street reconstruction, downtown retailers and restaurants have noticed a significant decline in community engagement. Even now, many still struggle.
“Brick-and-mortar has not come back the way everyone hoped,” London said. “You have to support it like it’s Stars Hollow. ... That is such a delightful part of what downtowns are about.”
Interested parties can visit Eventbrite to RSVP.
— Ari Hickman is a sophomore at Brighton High School and a freelancer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.
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