The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
3-DAY CELEBRATION
Olde Home Days to coincide with town’s 250th anniversary
EAST HAMPTON » The celebratory week, which began with July 4 observances, continues with Olde Home Days, beginning today.
And to add to the excitement of the annual three-day event, this year’s version of the “Glorious Celebration” coincides with the 250th anniversary of the town’s establishment.
The sestercentennial will be the theme of the annual Olde Home Days parade, which is held Saturday morning and which, for many residents, is the high point of the celebration of the town. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
But before that there will be all the excitement of a carnival, musical acts as varied as swing, country and reggae “and just about everything in between,” fair food and magic — literal magic — all presented on the grounds of the Center School, organizers said.
A group of 20 to 25 volunteers oversees the three-day event, with 15 members from that group serving as chairs of individual event aspects.
Tonight’s events, which begin at 6 p.m., are intended to provide a “Family Fun Night.”
That includes “Carnival Rides Family Night Discount,” with a $15 “All-youcan-ride” wristband.
Children under 12 arriving for tonight’s festivities will each be given a free raffle ticket, which could result the child winning one of 60 bicycles (and helmets) given away over the weekend.
Tonight’s drawing begins at 8:15 p.m., and the child and parent must be present at the drawing, fair officials say.
The magic will be provided by “The Amazing Andy,” who will performing from 6 to 7 p.m. Andy will be followed to the performance stage at 7:30 p.m. by the local band “Scatterheads,” who will perform until 10 p.m.
And if that isn’t your cup of tea, there will also be both food and face-painting before the gates close for the night at 11 p.m.
Friday is the night of the Olde Home Days other big event, the annual 5K “Glorious Gallop.” The point-to-point race starts at Seven Hills Crossing at 7:15 p.m., continues down Mott Hill and circles around Lake Pocotopaug and then heads for the finish line at the Center School.
When the runners arrive at the fairgrounds, they will be greeted by “The Neybas,” long a Connecticut cult favorite, performing on the stage from 6 to 11 p.m.
“What better way to convey hometown spirit than with a parade?” OHD organizers ask.
In 39 years, no one has found a better way.
The parade, the celebration’s “showcase event,” is a challenge and a tribute to the creativity of its participants. This year’s parade, with it’s theme, “A Rich History, A Bright Future,” is certain to live up to the challenge. What organizers say is the largest parade in Middlesex County features any number of innovatively decorated floats, as well as “an array of marching units, antique vehicle and a range of bands.”
While the participants march, thousands of spectators will line the 1.5-mile route of the parade to enjoy the display.
The fairgrounds will be open for 12 full hours, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a first, a craft festival from 1 to 6 p.m., and five bands.
“Eminent Domain” will take the stage from 1:302:30 p.m., followed from 2:50 to 4:10 p.m. by “Four Barrell Billy.” “Amity” will take the stage from 4:30 to 6 p.m., to be followed by the “Merks,” who will be performing from 6:30 to 8, and concluding with “Johnny Five Live Band” playing from 8:30-11 p.m.
Interrupted just past mid-day on Wednesday OHD Chairman Jim Vick said, “We’re getting there. I think we’re in great shape.”
The three-day event is overseen by a group of 20 to 25 volunteers, Vick said, with 15 members of that core group serving as chairs of individual aspects of the event.
Vick doubles as both chairman and also heads the entertainment committee for instance, while Denise Russo is parade chairwoman.
Russo and her team work year-round to organize the parade, Vick said.
With the 250th anniversary being celebrated this year, Vick said there has been some collaboration with the committee headed by Councilor Josh Piteo.
Oversized birthday cards have been circulating in town over the past several weeks for people to sign. They will be posted on the fairgrounds Saturday, and there will also be “a big birthday cake” as well, Vick said.
Vick said he is particularly excited by the craft fair, organized by Maureen Luddy. The wares which will be on display are authentic made-at-home crafts, Vick said, not mass produced.
Vick said he hopes the event is a success so that it can become a regular part of Olde Home Days.