Winchester Town Day a Hit

Despite temperatures in the 90s, thousands attended the 32nd annual Winchester Town Day on Saturday.

Winchester Town Day Committee co-chairman Allan Eyden estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people visited the event.

From a trolley car moving people to and from a strawberry shortcake festival at the Sanborn House to the dozens of vendors, clubs and displays around the downtown area and the commons, there was something for everyon to enjoy.

“[This year] we have a good mix of trolleys, dog shows, children's events and live music […] there are also diverse food options,” said Tina Bellomy, a Town Day Committee member, as she beat the heat in her shaded information booth located just past the rotary during the event.

There were some preliminary Town Day activities on Friday, with a WinCam Back of the School Barbecue Bash after school, followed by a block party at the fire station. Wrapping up Friday's events was the final round of the Rock for Youth at Town Hall.

Town Day Activities

Kicking off Saturday's festivities was the Rotary Club's Pancake Breakfast at the McCall Middle School, followed by a Fun Run for kids on Manchester Field, a fishing derby at Wedge Pond, a police and fire display on Laraway Road, hot air balloon rides on Manchester, and that's just what began at 9 a.m.

The downtown street fair opened up at this point, followed by a health fair from Winchester Hospital and a chess club meet-up. On the commons there were: pony rides, kid's Olympics, mask-making and art from Kidstock!, a petting zoo, another barbecue, an animal display from Animal Adventures of Bolton, a “Best in Show” Dog Show and continuous live music throughout from bands like the Kromm Family, the Herland Brothers Band and O'Shea Chaplin Irish Step Dancers.

Later in the day there was the much attended Rubber Duckie race on Mill Pond, with Winchester choirs and bands from the McCall Middle and High Schools following. And as tradition, Town Day was wrapped up with a fireworks display, sponsored by RE/MAX Leading Edge, at 9:15 p.m.

Local Crowd

Surveying the crowd, most said they were from Winchester. However, it wasn't out of the norm to bump into a couple from Arlington, a family from Medford, a group of kids from Woburn, or people from any of Winchester's border towns and beyond.

Those from town and elsewhere had lots to experience from the dozens of vendors, artisans, rafflers and other displays. Karate, crafts, cars, clothing; religious groups, medicine, clubs and outreach – there were local, regional and even national companies and groups present to interest buyers or just spread the word about their cause in the downtown area.

One of the most popular attractions was the art display from Winchester's students ages K-12 that filled Town Hall. Another popular tent was the Wright-Locke Farm group who were promoting their upcoming Family Farm Night Series that begins June 20.

If you were hungry, there were close to 20 street vendors selling the usual summer foods: hotdogs, hamburgers and the like, along with some more ethnic fair like Indian food.

Photo Gallery and Comments

In case you stayed in because of the heat, be sure and check out our photo gallery of Winchester Town Day. Also, let us know what your Town Day experience was like by sharing your photos and telling your Town Day story in the comments section below.