Celebrating #SummerinSuffield and America’s 250th
It Was a Fantastic #SummerinSuffield
As we celebrated #SummerinSuffield and America’s 250th anniversary, Suffield Parks & Recreation offered a full calendar of programs, special events, fitness opportunities, concerts, movies and activities that brought residents together and showcased the incredible community spirit that makes Suffield such a special place to live, work and play.
We kicked off the summer on the first weekend in June with the Town of Suffield Summer Fair, setting the stage for a season filled with community celebrations, family activities and opportunities for residents of all ages to get out and enjoy everything Suffield has to offer.
From sunny summer days to starry nights, there was something for everyone. Throughout the season, families, children, seniors, athletes and community members came together to create lasting memories and celebrate our community.
Summer Camps Filled with Fun
Our summer camp season included a full lineup of day camps, including Kids Korner/Morning Munchkins Camp, Sunrise Day Camp and Adventure Camp. Campers enjoyed enriching experiences ranging from arts and crafts and team-building games to exciting trips to Puddletown, Babb’s Beach, Farmington River Tubing, Brownstone Adventure Park and Nova Adventure Park.
The summer lineup also featured a wonderful variety of specialty camps and programs, including Fitness and Nutrition Camp, Paint It Up Camp, Crafty Camp, Cheer Camp, Broadway Brings Joy Theater Camp, Horseback Riding Camp and the Let Grow Program. These programs gave children opportunities to explore their creativity, build confidence, learn new skills and stay active throughout the summer.
For sports enthusiasts, individualized sports camps and programs provided opportunities for children to develop their skills while having fun in a supportive environment. This summer featured fantastic opportunities in soccer, basketball, Premier Field Hockey, tennis and lacrosse, along with swim lessons for children of all ages and abilities.
We are incredibly grateful to the Suffield Police Department, Suffield Ambulance Association, Suffield Fire Department and Wilcox Rentals for helping make our big camp days and Family Days extra special. A special thank you also goes to the Suffield Highway Department, which helped us throughout the summer with setup, signage and moving equipment to and from camp locations.
Celebrating America’s 250th
This summer was especially meaningful as we celebrated America’s 250th anniversary with events throughout the community.
In early June, we proudly collaborated with Trees for Suffield for a special Picnic in the Park and Tree Dedication Ceremony at Sunrise Park, honoring Lester Smith and Roger Loomis. The event was a wonderful way to bring the community together while celebrating our beautiful parks, honoring two individuals who have made meaningful contributions to our community, and recognizing this historic milestone for our nation. The dedication provided a meaningful opportunity to reflect on our community, our environment and the generations that will enjoy these spaces for years to come.
Another exciting addition to our summer celebration was Party in the USA: Glitz, Glamour and Games. The festive event brought residents together for an evening of games, music, fun and plenty of patriotic spirit. A special thank you goes to DJ Kevin Landolina for providing the music and helping create such a fun atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
We also introduced the Ride and Roll Vehicle Show, bringing incredible vehicles, families, car enthusiasts and music lovers together on the Town Green. A little summer rain didn’t dampen the evening, as beautiful cars lined the Green for the concert featuring Patrick Tobin and the Dirty Martini Band. The evening was a wonderful celebration of community, cars and music, and another memorable part of #SummerinSuffield.
The Ride and Roll event was also a fundraiser benefiting the Suffield Senior Center Kitchen Fund. We are grateful to everyone who attended, participated in the vehicle show, supported the fundraiser and helped make the evening such a success. If you weren’t able to attend the show, you can still make a donation to benefit the Suffield Senior Center Kitchen Fund. Every contribution helps support this important community resource.
We are grateful to PeoplesBank, The Stephanie Salerno Team, Nexgen and all of our sponsors and supporters who helped make these special events possible.
Music, Movies, Art and Community
A standout of the summer was the return of Concerts on the Green, sponsored by PeoplesBank. Residents enjoyed an incredible lineup of live music throughout the summer, including The Tom Ingram Band, ERAS – A Taylor Swift Tribute, Dr. C & The Cure Alls and The Falcons, along with Patrick Tobin and the Dirty Martini Band. These evenings brought music lovers together on the Town Green for great entertainment, warm summer nights a
nd a relaxed atmosphere where neighbors could connect and enjoy themselves.
Outdoor movie nights once again brought families to the Town Green, with screenings of Wicked, Ghostbusters, Top Gun and Wicked: For Good, giving residents the opportunity to enjoy favorite films together under the stars.
In June, we partnered with the Kent Memorial Library for a Chalk Art Contest, giving residents an opportunity to showcase their creativity and transform the pavement into colorful works of art. It was a wonderful collaboration that brought together creativity, community and fun.
For those looking to explore their creative side, Summer Paint Night with Nina from Create and Paint Fun provided a fun and creative evening for participants to relax, paint and enjoy time together.
Our Suffield Night at the Yard Goats was another memorable evening. Residents enjoyed a night at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, and we were especially pleased to recognize and celebrate the efforts of our dedicated volunteers under the spotlight.
Staying Active All Summer
For residents looking to stay active, the summer offered plenty of opportunities. The Monday Night 5-5-5 Run Series, summer 5K races, Running Club and Wednesday Night Run Club brought together runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.
We are incredibly grateful to Kimberly Bermani and her family for coordinating the Monday Night 5-5-5 Run Series and helping make these community running events such a success. The series provided a welcoming and energetic way for residents to stay active, challenge themselves and connect with others throughout the summer.
The Wednesday Night Run Club, held at Suffield Academy, was designed as a training program for our upcoming Suffield Parks & Recreation Road Races. We extend a special thank you to coaches Stephan Bastryzcki, Katie Carson and Tristan Bermani for leading the group, providing guidance and encouragement, and helping participants prepare for race day. On some evenings, runners even made their way past the Town Green while Concerts on the Green was underway, allowing them to train while listening to great live music—a uniquely Suffield summer experience.
Programs for Everyone
Our summer calendar included something for every age and interest, with programs designed to encourage creativity, fitness, learning and community connections.
The Bowling Buddies Group enjoyed a wonderful series of summer gatherings, including a June Fellowship Night in partnership with Second Baptist Church, as well as June and July Game Nights and Birthday Celebrations. These events provided opportunities for members to socialize, celebrate birthdays, enjoy games and build friendships in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
A Summer Made Possible by Many
None of these programs and events would be possible without the incredible people who make them happen.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our year-round staff, seasonal counselors, lifeguards, support staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the summer to ensure our programs and events were safe, welcoming, fun and well-run. Our volunteers give their time, energy and talents to help make so many of our programs and special events possible, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support.
We are also thankful to our sponsors, community partners and fellow town departments who continually step up to support Suffield Parks & Recreation. It truly takes a community to create a summer filled with so many wonderful opportunities, and we are grateful to everyone who played a part in making #summerinsuffield such a success.
Suffield is a fantastic place to live, work and play, and this summer was a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together. From the Town of Suffield Summer Fair and Picnic in the Park to summer camps, fitness programs, sports, theater, art, concerts, movies, Bowling Buddies events, special celebrations and our many events honoring America’s 250th, #summerinsuffield was filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate and make lasting memories.
What’s Next? Fall Has Even More in Store!
Have you been having a memorable summer with Suffield Parks & Recreation? Wait until you see what fall and early winter have in store!
We are bringing you an exciting lineup of new programs, returning favorites, sports, fitness, creativity, family fun, outdoor adventures and community events for all ages.
Fall offerings include Field Hockey, Soccer, Painting Programs, Fall Art & Crafts, Cheer, Fitness Is Fun!, Little Movers, Running & Walking, the Let Grow Program, a Forest Bathing Hiking Workshop, the Bowling Buddies Bowling Program, Bowling Buddies Outing Club events, Fellowship Nights, Open Mic Night, Halloween Crafting, Halloween Trick-or-Treating and Holiday Programs.
And don’t forget our fun after-school programs, giving kids a chance to get creative, stay active, make friends and have fun after the school day ends. Fall offerings include Fall Scenes Painting Fun, Paint It Up, Fall Crafting Party with Pizza, and Fall & Halloween Crafting Parties.
Our Bowling Buddies Bowling Program and Outing Club also have a great season planned, with opportunities for bowling, fellowship, special outings, Halloween crafting, holiday activities and more. There truly is something for everyone, and we encourage residents to check out the complete fall schedule and find a program, activity or event to enjoy together.
Don’t Miss the Upcoming Suffield Parks and Recreation Department’s Road Races!
And don’t miss one of Suffield’s favorite fall traditions!
Join us on Saturday, September 12, as we kick off Suffield on the Green weekend with the 46th Annual Suffield Parks and Recreation Department 10K Road Race, 22nd Annual 5K, 2-Mile Walk and Kids Fun Run, presented by PeoplesBank.
With more than $1,000 in prizes and gift cards for division winners, there is something for everyone—from serious runners to families and walkers looking to enjoy a great morning together. To register, visit runsuffield.com.
We hope you will join us this fall and continue celebrating the community spirit that makes Suffield such a wonderful place to live, work and play!