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School has started, the leaves are turning and falling, football is back, and temperatures are dropping – Fall is here. What comes with the season in Colchester? Bacon Academy and Cougars football, Pumpkins ‘n Pooches, and the 57 Fest to name but a few.
Almost everyone knows that in 2005 under First Selectman Jenny Contois Colchester was named the 57th best place to live in the country. What better way to celebrate than with a community festival – thus the 57 Fest was born. In subsequent years, results of a community survey showed that residents want to keep that name for Colchester’s autumn festivities – so the 57 Fest continues and grows each year.
The fun begins at 1:00 p.m. this year with a parade which follows the same route as the Memorial Day Parade. This parade celebrates Colchester’s community – “Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow.” While, like most new events, participation numbers may be small, enthusiasm is great. We’re looking forward to the growth of this event spearheaded by Alexandra McGrath, a citizen who had a “good idea” and worked tirelessly to make it happen.
Immediately following the parade join Dr. Priya Tandon, Wendy Mis, Colchester’s Public Health Director, and me as we lead a group of walkers from the Gazebo to the lawn at Troop K. There we’ll be joined by State Representative Linda Orange and others for a Ribbon Cutting ceremony to dedicate the newly completed sidewalk that allows complete walking access from Town to the Recreation Complex. Already we’ve had numerous residents share how happy they are to be able to walk from their residences to Town or from Town to the RecPlex. After the dedication, you can walk or take a bus the rest of the way to the 57 Fest. Buses will also be available behind the Veteran’s Green after the parade for those who wish to go directly to the Recreation Complex.
At 4:00 join your friends and neighbors at the Recreation Complex on Old Hebron Road for hours of music, food, information, and fun. Activities range from the Collaborative for Colchester’s Children booth asking residents for input into a plan currently being developed to face painting and balloons. Come learn how to easily turn your yard into a wildlife habitat, climb a rock wall, participate in the Family Game Show, enjoy Bacon Academy’s fencing demonstration, play picnic games, or just browse, visit, and relax. As the evening draws to a close, sit back and enjoy the outstanding fireworks. While you’re relaxing and waiting for the fireworks to begin, think about what your scarecrow is going to “say” when you participate in the upcoming Pumpkins ‘n Pooches!! Parking at the Recreation Complex and on Old Hebron Road and other area roads ares limited; consider taking one of the shuttle buses from St. Andrew’s Church, Jack Jackter Intermediate School, or the Commuter Parking Lot
on Lake Hayward Road.
Once again your Parks & Recreation staff – Jay Cohen, Anita Miazga, Liz Kessler, and Chris Woodside – promises an outstanding event. Unfortunately, the one area over which they have absolutely no control is the weather! Sunday is the scheduled rain date. Postponement and/or cancellation information will be made available beginning at 7:00 p.m. Friday on the Town’s website (www.colchesterct.gov) or by calling 537.7297. Full event details can be found on the Parks & Recreation Department’s page on the Town of Colchester
website. (Hint: when you get to the 57 Fest page, keep scrolling down!)
See you Saturday!
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