Granby Lions Club Choose Local Eatery, Breweries For Celebrate Granby 225 Festivities

Although October is just under eight months away, the behind-the-scenes work for the celebration of Granby’s 225th anniversary is already underway. 

Festivities for the celebration include a town-wide parade, a picnic, and fireworks among other activities leading up to and culminating on Oct. 1, 2011. Activities will take place at Salmon Brook Park. 

As part of the celebration, the Granby Lions Club are planning on hosting a beer garden at the event, complete with three vendors for both food and drink. As timing would have it, the celebration will carry an Octoberfest theme.

Granby Lions member Tom Sullivan announced that Bloomfield-based Thomas Hooker Brewing Company as well as Granby’s own Cambridge House have been chosen to supply the beer garden and control alcohol sales. , a popular Granby restaurant and caterer, was picked to supply the food Sullivan said. 

Sullivan said the three establishments were chosen based on two key requirements. “The quality of the product, and of course being local," he said.

Additionally, the uniqueness of the establishments was another factor the Lions took into consideration when making their decision according to Sullivan.

“One of the things our brewery is known for is our Octoberfest beer,” said Curt Cameron, president of Thomas Hooker Brewing Company. “We’ll be serving that and probably one of our lighter style beers.”

In fact, the brewery’s Octoberfest beer is so well-known, it was the top pick from the New York Times beer tasting panel in 2008, out of a total of 24 Oktoberfest beers. 

Cameron said the brewery is regularly doing events similar to the 225th celebration all over the state, but this particular event holds a special place with him. 

“I grew up in Granby, so from that perspective, I am happy to be part of it,” he said. 

Cambridge House owner Scott Riley said he too is looking forward to being part of the celebration.

“It helps support the town and the birthday celebration,” Riley said.

Riley said the brew pub will be making “a special beer” for the Lions’ beer garden. 

"It’s nothing we serve currently,” Riley said, adding that it will be a “one-off batch” on tap. 

Lite-N-Up Eatery, a sandwich shop and bakery located in the center of town, is proposing a menu complete with macaroni and cheese, bratwurst and big, soft pretzels according to the eatery's Owner Susan King.

“It goes with Octoberfest,” King said about her menu selection.

Looking ahead, King said she is looking forward to being part of the celebration in town as well. 

For more information on the anniversary celebration, visit the town website.