Simsbury Celebrates Experiences Successful 10th Anniversary

Unusually balmy weather only added to the draw of dozens of attractions at Simsbury Celebrates this year, as enormous crowds of residents perused booths and festivities running the length of Hopmeadow Street at the center of town.

The event ran from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with some features beginning at 4 p.m.  Attractions this year included multiple musical shows and concerts, athletic exhibitions, cookie decorating workshops, magic shows, pony rides and more.  Multiple visitors said that this year's event, which marks the 10th anniversary of Simsbury Celebrates, was one of the largest in their memory.

"I feel like it gets bigger every year, but this was the warmest one," said Danielle Resch, who came with her husband Philip and young son Cameron. 

The couple said that they had seen almost every attraction at the event, but had particularly enjoyed the programs held at the .

"There was a lady singing with a guitar ... and he loves books, so it was just a very robust section for little kids," said Philip Resch.

A fairly recent attraction at this year's event was the Very Extreme Trampoline Show, staffed by Flippenout Productions. According to the company's director of operations Mike Kennedy, the show has been a part of Simsbury Celebrates for the past three years. Athletes from all over the country, all of which have either performed at Olympic-level events or otherwise have significant professional entertainment experience, enthralled fascinated spectators with high-altitude tricks.

"Ryan [Jones] is a pro wake boarder down in Orlando, and he's one of the best teaching pros in the country. He teaches the Red Bull team, he's got a lot of credentials, and he's also one the best tramp-wall guys," Kennedy said, speaking of one his performers.

The was the site of Simsbury Celebrates's Annual Messiah Sing In, performed by the Farmington Valley Chorale. Ellen Gilson Voth, its director, said that the event has been running for 20 years, with only minor changes to the lineup of songs performed from year to year.

The show was also graced this year by a pair of soloists, Lisa Petricca and Ben Spar, both of whom are students at Farmington High School and have performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

"It's a good opportunity to sing fabulous songs," Voth said in regards to enjoying the performance.

The event wound down with the annual firetruck parade, featuring an appearance by Santa on the last truck, followed by a fireworks display that capped off the event at 8:15 p.m. 

Download the movie