Music, Food & Games At Monroe Bicentennial Fest This Weekend

MONROE, CT — The town's bicentennial celebration kicks into high gear this weekend with a picnic, concert, race, and, of course, the Memorial Day Parade.

On Saturday, May 27, the Bicentennial Picnic at Wolfe Park will feature a "moon bounce," sack races, corn hole, face painting and more fun and games for adults and children. The Monroe Music Festival begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion, with continuous local talent playing live throughout the afternoon. Residents may bring their own picnic, or purchase lunch from the Monroe Rotary Club. The Bicentennial Store will be open for memorabilia, including the collectable Bicentennial medallion.

At 6:30 p.m., KSF, a Kansas/Styx/Foreigner tribute band, will perform in a concert sponsored by the Monroe Parks & Recreation Department.

On Sunday, May 28 the Monroe Bicentennial Celebration will open with the first-ever "Mile Down the Pike Road Race" at 12:30 p.m. Competitors will run a one-mile down hill sprint past the crowds assembled for Monroe’s Memorial Day Parade along Route 111.

The town's traditional Memorial Day parade will step off 1:00 p.m. from Monroe Turnpike Route 111 and Elm Street, with a Bicentennial-themed float contest.

Immediately following the parade at 3 p.m., the Memorial Day Veterans Ceremony will take place at the war memorial at the Town Hall Green.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be cancelled, and the Veteran Memorial Ceremony will be moved into the Town Council Chambers.

At 6:30 p.m., ABBA Mia will perform in concert at Wolfe Park, sponsored by Monroe Parks & Recreation.