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Town Day Celebrates 30th Year of Commumity Spirit

Businesses, civic groups, performers, eateries and more come together in annual festival.

 

As schools wind down and summer draws near Winchester anticipates one of its best traditions. On Saturday, June 4 the community's signal event of the memory-making season of vacations, barbeques, beaches and balmy nights turns 30.  

Town Day showcases the services of Winchester's civic and private organizations, the select wares of its merchants, the talents of  performing artists from near and far, and the creative bend of its children.

This year the Town Day Committee is co-chaired by Allan Eyden, Mary and Ralph Johnson and Michael Surabian. 

"It's the town's way of throwing a party," said Eyden. "It is supported by the hard work of those who commit to helping out for the sake of  making this a great place to live, work and visit. It's simply a good time."

The Common will buzz with activities of particular interest to children. Ed Laquidara of Animal Adventures in Bolton, MA will explain the habitats of a variety of New England critters and exotic animals allowing petting when appropriate. There they can visit the Winchester Cooperative Bank's petting zoo, take a pony ride, participate in Kid Stock's storytime, have their face painted and try their skills at games sponsored by the Family Action Network's "Kids' Olympics."

Lovers of the performing arts can post themselves at the Mill Pond stage where faculty member Jim Doran from the Winchester Community Music School will perform with a rock band of middle school musicians. Colleague Tad Hitchcock will entertain with an ensemble of teens and adults singing Beatles' ballards and their classic rock.

It's a return engagement to Mill Pond for the O'Shea Chaplin Irish Dancers, a troupe of a dozen six to 16-year-olds that practices at St. Mary's 10 months of the year.

The Winchester Octets, Winchester High School's Chamber Singers, the McCall School Jazz Band, The Real Music School, Michael Tobias, the Winchester High School Jazz Band, Karen Bernard School of Dance and Tian Yue Academy of the Arts will all perform at the pond throughout the day.

The fine arts are represented by a childrens' art show organized by the Winchester Friends of Art in Town Hall and by the tour of stained glass windows offered by the Winchester Unitarian Society.

The adventurous can soar at Manchester Field in the early morning in ReMax's tethered hot air balloon.

 "It's one in 100 of the world's largest hot air balloons," explained  O'Callaghan. "Riders will glide upward to a height of seven stories. The balloon's designated use is for fundraisers and as such the proceeds go to the Winchester Hospital Breast Care Center."  

Proud dog owners can enter their pooch in the "Best in Show" contest and still have time to enjoy the Strawberry Festival and Classic Car Show at the Sanborn House.

Food is one of the festival's favorite features and another piece in the patchwork of community connections. It starts on Friday night at 6:30 p.m.at the block party near the fire station prior to the Rock for Youth performance at the Winchester Youth Center.

Saturday morning early risers can enjoy the Rotary Club's pancake breakfast  for $6 at McCall. The Winchester Chamber of Commerce offers barbeque fair in the afternoon and the Town Day Community Supper is served in the Town Hall parking lot from 6:30-8:00 p.m. by Lucia's Ristorante. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children.

Be sure to check out our weekend planner for a complete list of events.

Related Topics: Winchester Town Day, Winchester fireworks, and Winchester street fair

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