Toilet Paper In Trees A Good Thing At This Simsbury Restaurant

SIMSBURY, CT — A well-known Simsbury eatery is hosting a special event Wednesday night harkening back to local Halloweens past, with a food drive included as a way to help others.

According to Steven Antonio, owner of Antonio's Restaurant, 1185 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, the eatery is hosting an event called "Cabbage Night" in Simsbury (and throughout New England).

It will take place Wednesday, Oct. 30 (Halloween Eve) and, according to Antonio, a longtime local resident, it reimagines an old-school tradition of the season in a more benevolent way.

Here's how he explains it:

"The night before Halloween (Oct. 30) is known locally as Cabbage Night. Many years ago, this was a night of mischief. My mom, however, wanted us to be able to express ourselves, but not in a malicious way. This was also back when the Simsbury Flower Bridge was still in use. (Yes, I’m old)! The locals would throw streams of toilet paper up over the iron girders and it was so cool to drive through.

"My Mom decided we too, could toss toilet paper…but not in traffic. So, since 1968 we have been throwing toilet paper in our town trees at Antonio's Restaurant (and cleaning it up every day afterwards)."

Antonio said the community "Cabbage Night" event has grown every year.

"Every year the event has gotten bigger and bigger and includes friends and customers from far and near," Antonio said of "Cabbage Night."

He said this is the 37th year Antonio's, which is celebrating 60 years in Simsbury, has hosted a public event for "Cabbage Night."

And, as always, folks flinging toilet paper into the trees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry, the Simsbury Food Pantry.

"We will yet again try to outdo our record by throwing 588,000 feet of toilet paper. That’s just over 1,175 individual rolls," Antonio said.

"We will feature our huge wooden catapults as well as a couple of compressed air cannons and of course, everyone is welcome to simply toss it as well."

All the fun, games and revelry starts at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The goal, Antonio said, is for folks to donate a can of food for every roll of toilet paper they fling into the trees there.

For more information on the origins of 'Cabbage Day/Night' in New England, click on this link.