The town is invited to celebrate all things Wrentham at the 35th annual Wrentham Day, set for Saturday, September 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The popular community event, held rain or shine on the town common, has something for all ages.
Recreation Committee member Dolores Duffy has served on the Wrentham Day planning committee every year from the very beginning. The event has grown and changed, she said, but it’s always been a day that brings residents out to enjoy one of the last weekends of the summer.
Duffy recalls the earliest Wrentham Days featured artists from all over New England.
“We were the only town around that had a ‘day,’ she said. “So it was easy to get professional artists and craftspeople to come and exhibit their art.”
Eventually Wrentham Day became more focused on community organizations, she said. Now, 60 to 70 town-sponsored booths line the common and offer games, crafts, food, and more to residents and visitors.
The Wrentham Wroad Wrace has always been a big part of the day, according to Duffy.
“We do get a good field of runners,” she said. Last year, 189 people laced up their sneakers for the 5K race.
According to Duffy, the road race used to draw elite runners from Boston and Falmouth because there were so few races around at the time. Duffy recalled the organizers would provide beer for the runners after the race, with kegs right on the town common.
“Times have changed,” she laughed.
What hasn’t changed in 35 years is the spirit of camaraderie and celebration that epitomizes Wrentham Day. “Residents all do seem to enjoy it,” agreed Duffy.
Wrentham Day Highlights
The Wrentham Wroad Wrace, begins at 10 a.m. from the town common. Race registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Prizes, raffles, and pizza are available for the runners after the race.
The popular Barn Babies Traveling Petting Zoo (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) will bring cuddly rabbits, ducklings, chicks, kittens, puppies, piglets and baby goats. Ride the trackless train around the common (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and listen to live music from The Infractions (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Enjoy a giant banana split sponsored by the Wrentham Lions Club at 2 p.m.
In addition, Wrentham Youth Baseball and Softball will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, and sausages.
The Wrentham Fire Department’s famous clam chowder will also be available.