An Historic Weekend in East Granby! A Revolutionary War Encampment with Period Exhibits and Performances, will take place this coming weekend - on Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th at East Granby Farms, 79 North Main Street (Route 187) in East Granby.
Saturday hours are 9AM - 5PM with special Saturday evening activities 6-8PM, Sunday hours are 10AM - 4PM. The event will take place rain or shine, and parking and admission are free. Please check signs at the site for parking.
Attendees should be prepared for spontaneous interactions with our 18th century guests, in addition to scheduled activities. A printed schedule showing approximate times will be available at the event, and a preliminary list is currently posted on our website at www.historicaleastgranby.com. We expect to include a more definite schedule on our Patch blog later this week.
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The camp will be set up on the sloping field at the rear portion of East Granby Farms. Activities not related to the 18th century will be at the front portion of the park, near the Historical Society barn. Golf carts, courtesy of Mark’s Auto Parts, will be available for transport of attendees who may not wish to walk the path between the two areas.
Throughout the weekend, Ye Olde Lebanon Towne Militia and other groups will recreate a militia campsite, featuring military drills, musket practice, and cannon fire, as well as cooking and demonstrations of traditional roles of women and children who accompanied the men at camp. History Without Walls for Time Travel Adventures (Old New Gate Prison & Copper Mine, Inc.) will provide hands-on, participatory activities for youth of all ages. Bill Fournier, our local NASA Solar System Ambassador, will offer an evening skywatching program on Saturday which will discuss 18th century astronomy and science. Evening lantern tours of the campsite will also be offered that evening.
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On Saturday, The Marquis of Granby Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps will be onsite throughout most of the day, with scheduled performances for 11AM and 2PM. An honored tradition in Granby since its beginnings in 1969, the group recreates the spirit of the many brave and patriotic boys who contributed to their country's fight for freedom.
Additionally on Saturday, five members of The Great Quinnehtukqut Company of Artificers & Traders will be demonstrating the following colonial skills: leatherwork, weaving, quilting, stenciling & calligraphy, and woodsman/survival skills. Lisa Westervelt of Cranberry Moon Farm will be spinning wool and engaging children in related activities. East Granby Land Trust will offer a hike through the camp to the overlook on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, Connecticut Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers Club will begin performing their rousing old time fiddling from 2-4PM. The group consists of fiddlers and other musicians aged 12 to 92 who promote the art and tradition of music passed from one generation to the next – not by written music, but by ear. Bill Fournier will also return on Sunday to discuss important breakthroughs in astronomy, physics and mathematics in the 18th century and provide tips for setting up and using telescopes.
The East Granby Historical Society barn will be open for tours throughout the weekend, and their magnificent, fully restored 1847 Concord Stagecoach will be on display. Tom Howard will discuss the history of the coach and the story of its restoration. The Historical Society exhibits a wide range of artifacts related to the history of East Granby and surrounding areas.
Food will be available for purchase both days. East Granby Lions Club will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner items, as well as beverages, at the snack shack. Additional food vendors will include Chet’s Italian Ice – an East Granby Farmers Market favorite, and Mark’s Kettle Corn – authentic kettle corn, made fresh on-site by volunteers from Mark’s Auto Parts, with proceeds donated to East Granby Historical Society.
Many local organizations will also be participating on one or both days. In addition to the overlook hike, East Granby Land Trust will also offer children’s crafts and have a rainbarrel exhibit. Women’s Club of East Granby will host a bake sale and sell pumpkins, with materials available for children to decorate them during the event. The following groups will also be participating: Town of East Granby Commission on Aging; Bradley Regional Chamber of Commerce (Saturday only); Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth Chapter of Windsor (Sunday only); DAR Sibbil Dwight Kent Chapter of Suffield.
The event is being hosted by the Town of East Granby Economic Development Commission, with the assistance of many individuals and businesses in the East Granby community. The premier sponsor, East Granby Historical Society, has provided significant funding and volunteer support. Seven major sponsors have contributed substantive funding and/or services for the event: Delta Industries, East Granby Motors, First National Bank of Suffield, Mark’s Auto Parts, Northwest Community Bank, Paine’s, and Simtech, Inc.
For more information, please visit www.historicaleastgranby.com, or email historicaleastgranby@gmail.com.
