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Date: 7/3/2019
EAST LONGMEADOW – Pac Man, Santa, a gnome, ice cream cones, a Minion, multiple dogs, pigs and more are lining the streets of East Longmeadow. While it might sound a bit strange – they’re all out in the form of painted fire hydrants in celebration of the town’s 125th Anniversary.
The East Longmeadow Lions Club first hosted a fire hydrant painting contest 25 years ago for the town’s 100th anniversary. Lion Dan Lacedonia, who has since passed, came up with the idea. The 125th Anniversary Committee approached the Lions Club asking if the club would be interested in putting on the contest again this year, to which they obliged.
Currently, there are between 70 and 76 hydrants painted. According to Lions Club member Donna Martinez, the deadline for entering the fire hydrant painting was pushed back multiple times because there were so many people who wanted to be involved. “We wanted everyone who was interested to be able to participate,” Martinez said.
“Some people are contacting me now saying they don’t care if they are not in the judging, they would just like to paint a hydrant,” she said.
The hydrants are painted with oil paint that Rocky’s East Longmeadow story donated at the beginning of the contest. When that paint ran out, the store provided discount coupons for participants. Martinez noted that members of the Lions took the individual gallons of different colored paint and divided them into smaller containers that were provided by the East Longmeadow Big Y. The paint was then distributed to participants in reusable bags provided by People’s Bank.
People who are looking to still paint a hydrant are able to, however they must contact the Lions Club first, as the painted hydrants need to be tracked. “This has been such a wonderful community event that, although the contest is now closed, if people still want to paint, the cut off date is now August 1,” Martinez explained. An application must be submitted to the Lions Club, along with a drawing and a $10 check payable to the EL Lions. Those who sign up can request a specific hydrant, or one can be assigned.
The winners of the hydrant-painting contest will be announced on the 4th of July. There are five categories: most whimsical, most patriotic, most 125th Anniversary oriented, most creative and judges choice.
“We have had so many participants that we will be giving prizes for first, second and third places in each category,” Martinez explained. The prizes for those who win are gift certificates to local businesses as well as 125th Anniversary commemorative items.
For those who may not live in East Longmeadow but would like to come out and appreciate the artwork, there are hydrants located all over town, however many are located along the town’s parade route. The route spans from Maple Street, to North Main Street, Mapleshade Avenue and Elm Street. Martinez stated that the Lions are going to try to post pictures on the 125th Anniversary and East Longmeadow Lions website with the addresses so people can find specific hydrants, should they choose.
“The response to this event has been wonderful.” Martinez continued, “I have had so many people tell me they painted hydrants 25 years ago with their parents, and now they are doing it with their children. I have also seen a lot of posts on social media about the hydrants, and many people have posted on various Facebook groups when they were done with their paint so they could share the paint with others. It has been great to see how people have come together to help each other with this.”
If a resident would like to paint their own hydrant within the month of July, they’re encouraged to reach out to Donna Martinez at dlmartinez@charter.net.