Celebrate Medway Day will return to Medway’s Choate Park on Saturday, July 15th, from 2-9 p.m. this year. For the fifth year, Medway residents will gather to have fun and enjoy each other’s company, with no cost for activities and only good, old-fashioned costs for refreshments.
“For $20 you can have an amazing day with your family,” says organizer Carole Bernstein, chair of the event. “This is strictly a giveback to the community, and only the food items will cost you small amounts of money.”
Thanks to a variety of sponsors, the event will feature activities for every Medway resident, young and old. In addition to four different bounce houses for toddlers to teens, Celebrate Medway Day will feature crafts by Medway Girl Scouts, a remote-control racetrack, bingo throughout the afternoon, a hula hooping contest and at 4 p.m., a watermelon-eating contest. Medway Community Farm will also lead an activity, as will Medway Firefighters, and local artist Judy Moffatt will also be leading a coloring activity at the Thayer House throughout the day, says Bernstein.
Other free events sure to draw crowds include:
• Pony rides, sponsored by Charles River Bank
• Boats on Choate Pond, sponsored by the Medway Lions Club (boats provided)
• Facepainting, sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank
• A Climbing Wall, sponsored by Medway Cable
• Musical band Abandon Jack, from 2:30-6 p.m., sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank
• The Newport Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble at 7 p.m. sponsored by Medway Lions
• Fireworks at dusk, sponsored by Exelon Corporation and the Town of Medway
Fourth-of-July-on-the-Esplanade-style, “the Navy Band will play through some of the fireworks,” says Bernstein, who is excited that the town comes together to make Celebrate Medway Day a wonderful event.
“I think our event has been so successful, first of all, because Medway is a wonderful town. The townspeople are generous, and I think they genuinely care about each other, and this is a day to celebrate who we are with each other and neighboring towns, whether it’s Town Selectmen, the Chief of Police or Fire, Girl Scouts, Cable Access or the Lions, people have just repeatedly stepped up, and I feel like at this point, five years into it, people look forward to this day.”
The Medway Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) has stepped up to provide all the cooking again this year, says Bernstein, led by Greg Curley. Concessions will include hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, chips, ice cream treats and soda, at “old-fashioned prices.” In addition, T.C. Scoops will also be onhand at the event.
Bernstein says her favorite activity is the watermelon eating contest.
“I walk around the entire place acting like a circus hawker, and we get 60 kids at that table ready to go,” she laughs. “There are 7-8 people judging. For me, it’s so fun.”
As always, Bernstein points out that Celebrate Medway Day does differ from Medway Pride Day in that there will be no sales booths. Everything except concessions is free.
“This is not a sales opportunity. It’s meant to just be a giveback to the town of Medway and its townspeople and surrounding neighbors,” she says.
The event is always looking for additional sponsors at all levels, says Bernstein.
“Any gift is appreciated, and additional volunteers,” she says. Please contact Carole Bernstein at carole02053@gmail.com (508) 254-6071 or Judi Lapan at jlapan@townofmedway.com (508) 472-2071. Two hour shifts are available from noon to 8 or as long as you’d like to help! Volunteering at the event can count toward a MHS cord of distinction, she says.