Town-wide celebration to be first in recent memory

By Jennifer Grybowski
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE -The town of Sturbridge isn’t about to let another year pass them by without a town-wide all-American Independence Day celebration. It will host Feast and Fire Saturday, July 3 from 2 to 10 p.m. on the Sturbridge Town Common and at the Publick House. It is co-sponsored by the Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors (REAS) Foundation, the Merchants of Sturbridge, the Sturbridge Recreation Committee and the Sturbridge Tourist Association.
A year or so ago, according to Karin Rokicki, Merchants of Sturbridge resident member, the Merchants events committee began brainstorming ideas.
“We really wanted to find a way to have a bonfire in town,” Rokicki said.
So they did a Feast and Fire event in October, which was widely successful.
“It was sort of a dry run for this year’s event,” Rokicki said.
According to Thomas Creamer, of the REAS Foundation and the Merchants of Sturbridge, Feast and Fire was initially intended to be a relatively small fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will benefit the REAS Foundation, the Tantasqua Education (Ted.) Foundation, the Tantasqua Music Foundation and Sturbridge recreational activities.
“We wanted to broaden it and make it a comprehensive event,” Creamer said. “An annual even to celebrate, but also to provide an opportunity for non-profits to present their causes.”
This year, Feast and Fire is expected to be even bigger.
“It took on a life of its own,” Rokicki said. “Once people heard about what we had in mind, they were excited.”
The event will include a large parade, a grand picnic buffet, live music, non-profit awareness booths, several entertainment activities, a full day of gaming for families, and, of course, a bonfire.
Creamer said another important goal of the event, which mirrors an important objective of REAS, is to highlight the connection between youth and seniors.
“The Merchants of Sturbridge are creating a celebratory effect,” Creamer said. “We’re partnering our efforts with Old Sturbridge Village so that people have a reason to come to Sturbridge annually. Hopefully, we help to create excitement and economic stability here in Sturbridge.”
Rokicki said that although Old Sturbridge Village has been holding their own Fourth of July celebrations for the past few years, she can’t find anyone that remembers any Independence Day celebrations hosted by the town itself.
“We found people often go away for the Fourth because there is nothing to do here,” Rokicki said.
All of the events and activities being provided for the event is of little or no cost to the organizers.
“This event highlights the very best of what our region has to offer,” Creamer said. “I’m very impressed by everything we’ve seen by those who are participating.
Although many events will be held during the afternoon on the common, the bonfire itself will be held behind the Publick House.
“We were concerned about the nighttime and kids on the common with all the streets around,” Rokicki said. “It will be safer at the Publick House, especially for kids.”
Creamer said that the Publick House’s Mike Harrington, and his staff, have always been strong partners with the REAS foundation, a strong supporter of the Merchants of Sturbridge and serves on the Sturbridge Tourist Board.
“He demonstrates consistently that he is committed to community and receptive to any events that benefit the community on the whole,” Creamer said. “We are very fortunate to have them.”
An additional activity is a Tots, Trikes and Bikes parade for children on the Town Common. Children and families can decorate wagons, bikes, trikes and doll carriages in an Independence Day theme and parade throughout the common. Sign-up is mandatory for this event, and those interested can do so by e-mailing Rokicki at karinrokicki@charter.net.
It would also help if people pre-purchased tickets to the Grand Picnic Buffet, so that organizers know how much food is needed. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children and can be purchased by e-mailing info@reasfoundation.org or through area businesses.
Visit www.reasfoundation.org or www.merchantsofsturbridge.com for more information about the event.