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Date: 10/3/2023
LUDLOW — It is almost time for Celebrate Ludlow. After returning from a two-year hiatus last year, the event will kick off once again on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Celebrate Ludlow will take place at Memorial Park, 15 East St., in the town gazebo area from 12-7 p.m. The event will be filled with plenty of food, entertainment, music and activities for everyone to enjoy.
Celebrate Ludlow Committee Chair Laurie Smith said, “We are hoping for even more success this year. It’s a cool event. It’s a little different than a craft fair or vendor fair, it is particularly for nonprofits to increase awareness for their groups.”
According to Smith, the event was started to help the nonprofit organizations that support the Ludlow Community.
All food vendor booths are run by youth groups, veteran groups, Ludlow sports teams, community service groups and town churches.
Smith said there will be plenty of food including pies served by Ludlow Veterans of Foreign Wars, hamburgers and hot dogs served by Ludlow Lions, taco in a bag by First Church of Ludlow, pierogies by Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church, kielbasa by Knights of Columbus 3535, meatball grinders by Ludlow Education Association, fresh popped popcorn by Ludlow High Ski Team, loaded baked potatoes by Boy Scout Troop 180, french fries, chicken fingers, fried dough and chili by Boy Scout Troop 1774, baked goods by Ludlow Football boosters, beverages by the VFW Auxiliary and water by the Ludlow 250th Anniversary Committee.
“Children and families can enjoy the multiple inflatables, rides and carnival games run by Manuel Amusements. Hubbard Memorial Library will host a children’s corner with craft time and pop-up library. Lupa Zoo will be bringing some of its interesting residents to check out. Cub Scout Pack 1774 will have sand art and novelty toy and glow items,” Smith added.
There will be three local bands playing throughout the event. The band line up is Livio Gravini Acoustic at 1 p.m., Accousticca at 3 p.m. and Seven Bridges Road, an Eagles tribute band, at 5 p.m.
A beer garden featuring Vanished Valley and Iron Duke will be open from 12-7 p.m.
There will be a pumpkin decorating contest as well.
People can bring their own pumpkin between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Celebrate Ludlow will add lights for a jack o’lantern display.
The winners will be announced just before 7 p.m. and pumpkins can then be picked up and brought home.
There will be prizes for first is the decorated pumpkin contest and the attendance raffle.
Prizes include Springfield Thunderbird tickets, Bright Nights passes, Lupa Zoo passes, Krazy Jake’s gift card.
The event use to take place in July at the Ludlow Fish and Game Club but Smith and her committee changed the location and the season the event took place last year to help bring more excitement and people to the event.
She added, “The change was definitely a benefit. We had a lot more foot traffic and a lot more people showing up because it was right in the center of town and visible.”
Those interested can follow @CelebrateLudlow on Facebook for updates and additional information, and questions can be emailed to Celebrateludlow@yahoo.com.