Long Meddowe Days helps bring history to life

Date: 5/17/2010

May 17, 2010

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW - It can be difficult keeping any kind of event running for 31 years, especially an event that focuses on the past. That's why this year the focus of Long Meddowe Days will be "something old, something new," according to festival committee chair Mike Gelinas.

"We're trying to upgrade and keep it fresh as we keep it going," Gelinas said. "This year we're focusing on quality crafters and history."

The annual Long Meddowe Days festival returns to the town green this year on May 22 and 23. Familiar crowd-pleasers such as Civil War cannon blasts and kettle corn will return, but organizers of the event want potential attendees to know new elements will be prominently featured this year as well.

"This is our 31st year of Long Meddowe Days, and we recognize that all great events evolve over time," Gelinas stated in a press release. "Our goal in planning the 2010 event was to add some fresh elements without losing the old New England, small-town feel that makes Long Meddowe Days so special."

New this year will be entertainment from the Afro-Caribbean drumming class from Greenwood Center, who will host a performance and workshop for all ages; a much broader variety of food tents, with 15 vendors including the return of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream; and in hopes of strengthening the historical character of the event, organizers have focused on vendors offering an older, higher quality and more authentic selection of antiques and crafts this year. "People should expect less plastic stuff, and more items of the type you might find in Brimfield," Gelinas said.

A greater community service element means the Baystate Health Blood Donor Mobile will be on the green on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - all donations will remain in Western Massachusetts. Attendees will also have the opportunity to donate to reconstruction efforts in Haiti.

And more mechanical history will be on display this year as well, as a collection of antique cars will be available for viewing at the south end of the green, including the police department's classic cruiser.

"The parade this year will take place Sunday morning instead of Saturday," Gelinas explained. The parade will begin at 11:15 a.m. and will travel west on Williams Street from Williams Middle School to the green. A lively group of bands and youth groups is expected for the parade. "We're hoping the new time and route will bring more people out to enjoy the parade," Gelinas said.

In addition to all the changes, the events that have become an integral part of Long Meddowe Days will return - such as the Memorial Service on May 23 at noon on the green. Delivering the key message will be Major Gen. Stephen Gross, Mobilization Assistant to Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. This tribute to honor those who fought and died for our country will have prayers led by Deacon Donald Higby of Saint Mary's Church and Assistant Pastor Beth Boisvert from First Church of Christ.

The 17th Annual Tim Paige Memorial Long Meddowe Days 5K Road Race will take place May 22, with a starting time of 7:30 a.m. for walkers and 8 a.m. for runners.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Longmeadow Historical Society's Tim Paige Intern Program; proceeds from the entire festival support the work of the Historical Society itself.

"The money raised goes toward operating expenses at the Storrs House, preserving our collection and finding new materials," Gelinas said. "And we're always looking for new ways to reach out to the town."

One plan for outreach: a mini-museum on the green during Long Meddowe Days this year, featuring artifacts from the Storrs House. Gelinas said hosting this tent will "bring the history of the town right to the public" to help them connect with unique American history. Additionally, walking tours of the historic homes lining Longmeadow Street and of the Old Burying Yard will be available throughout the event.

Other activities include:

• the popular miniature train, a climbing wall, animals from the Forest Park Zoo, fun temporary tattoos as well as other activities and crafts for kids;

• the fourth annual pancake breakfast, hosted by the Park Board and the Longmeadow Rotary on May 22 from 7 to 10 a.m. featuring pancakes, maple syrup, sausage, juice, tea and coffee. Tickets are available now at the Community House and Greenwood Children's Center at a cost of $6 for adults and $3 for children 6 and under; tickets will also be available at the door at $7 for adults, $4 for children;

• the Sprite and Fairy Festival and Tea Party, for children of all ages, sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department. Participants will build their own fairy houses using natural materials such as sticks and branches, stones, bark, dry grass, pine cones, shells, acorns, feathers, cut lawn grass, flowers, garden trimmings, etc. Children are encouraged to dress up in their favorite fairy costume or other enchanted character. Visit www.fairyhouses.com for more ideas! Call ahead to reserve your space for the Fairy Tea party; seating is limited to 60 children. Call 565-4160 or e-mail kzieba@longmeadow.org to reserve a seat. The festival will be on the Green across from the Community House and the tea party will be located in the Community House Rear Auditorium on May 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Both events are free; and

• the Girl Scouts will be having a campfire on the Green on May 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We will be singing and making s'mores. Bring a guitar if you have one to accompany us. We supply the campfire - you bring chairs or a blanket and s'mores ingredients. The event will take place barring heavy rain. Call Laurie Hatch, Longmeadow Girl Scouts Unit Manager, at 567-7420 or e-mail laurhatch@aol.com with questions.

"There are things for everybody," Gelinas said of the 2010 Long Meddowe Days. "There's music, history, food, art - things to see, things to participate in. It's a true community gathering."

For more information visit www.longmeadow.org/meddowe/main.htm.