Do you know the people behind "The Making of Medfield Day"?

The Making of Medfield Day!

Everyone who lives in Medfield knows about Medfield Day! Whether you are a townie or moved into town only a few years ago, Medfield calendars should all be marked for the third Saturday in September. This year, Medfield Day is Saturday, September 17, 2016!

But did you know that the official title of this event is Discover Medfield Day? And did you also know the first Discover Medfield Day was in 1980? And do not confuse this day in September with June’s annual Discover Medfield HISTORY Day Trolley Tour narrated by Town Historian, Richard DeSorgher.

For those of us who have been to Medfield Day every year, for many years, I think we take for granted all that goes into making it the special day it is!

Medfield Day has been a staple for many years, but do you know the people behind the scenes that make it happen? “If it wasn’t for Russ and Hank, there would be no Medfield Day” I was told by a friend and long time Medfield resident. This statement prompted me to interview Medfield Day Chairman, Russ Hallisey.

Hallisey refers to this day as a “Big Town Block Party” where all the Town residents are invited! He feels lucky that he is able to devote many hours to planning this annual event. He has the time to dedicate to this annual event because he works locally. Hallisey has been the Chairman of Medfield Day for more than 10 years, which has been a labor of love for him. And though he’s heard the above sentiment, Hallisey is quick to note that Medfield Day was created way before his time, was run by very dedicated MEMO members for many years at a time, and was well established when he took it over – and that after his time, it will go on. But he adds…”As for Hank though, he’ll be harder to replace.”

Medfield Day came to be as a way to highlight the big and small businesses in town. It was also a great way for the community to meet these business owners. In the early years, the Medfield Fire Dept. also held their annual Chicken BBQ on this day but have since moved this annual event to Fathers Day.

Medfield Day is organized and produced by Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization (MEMO), and many of the business booths are MEMO members. MEMO itself sets up a booth with a Silent Auction. The money raised from the Silent Auction funds three MEMO High School Scholarships in which two graduates from Medfield High School and one Medfield graduate from Tri-Valley High School are the recipients.

Hallisey mentioned a few corporate sponsors who have been loyal contributors to Medfield Day for many years. Clay Family Dealerships is the biggest major sponsor; Starr and Glick Orthodontics is the 2nd biggest sponsor, followed by Needham Bank, Rockland Trust, Middlesex Savings Bank. And for “short money” businesses can sponsor individual rides in the Kids Alley.

There is really no “off time” when it comes to planning Medfield Day. The porta potties, kids rides, tents and chairs for the following year are booked the day after Medfield Day concludes! The bulk of the next year’s planning begins in February.

Asked why Hallisey has stayed involved and chaired this event for so many years, his response was “It keeps me connected with the community. We run it like a business event and I have some discretion about decision making, but if I stay true to our vision of Medfield Day at the end of the day when I see that all the exhibitors have enjoyed themselves and the crowd has enjoyed the event, then I know it is a success”!

I learned that Hallisey is very much the “man behind the making of Medfield Day” but he was quick to point out to me that his sidekick, Hank Marcel is equally important. Marcel takes care of the infrastructure. “Hank is an electrician by trade and he’s the guy who just takes this (task) and runs with it! He has been doing this for so long, he knows what he’s doing and he does it well.” Just some of what Marcel takes care of is the signage on Main Street, the electrical vendors, overseeing the stage set up, Kids Alley set up, rides and tent set up and Marcel has been on the Medfield Day Committee even longer than Hallisey.

Even though Hallisey and Marcel have been involved for a very long time, Hallisey told me, “I have a mission to bring in new blood and new ideas.” The committee members help with coordinating the entertainment and the MEMO booth, get businesses to sign up and register for a booth, and solicit corporate sponsors for the rides and entertainment. Also, many MEMO members volunteer during the day of the event to make it run smoothly. It truly is the embodiment of the expression, “many hands make light work”.

Medfield Day has changed and reinvented itself a few times over these past 36 years, but Hallisey feels strongly that it needs to stay true to its roots. For instance, a very busy area within the Medfield Day layout is the Food Court. It is important to have Medfield food businesses get the chance to show off their cuisine. This special Food Court area was created because of the limited number of booth spaces on North Street. Hallisey went on to say that they try very hard to not have food duplicates and this is not easy to do. It is also very important to allow the local groups to continue to sell their fare, such as, Medfield Firefighters with their hot dogs, the Lions Club with their hamburgers and the American Legion with their sausages.

Many years, in addition to the booths and entertainment, there has been a specially designed and dated Medfield Day Poster for the event. However, not every year has been represented by a Medfield Day Poster.

I am thrilled to announce that this year’s Medfield Day Poster is a photo collage of Medfield areas, created by me. Many months ago, in the very early stages of planning, Hallisey approached me to discuss creating a 2016 Medfield Day Poster, and I jumped at the chance to do this. The Medfield Day Poster I created will be framed and it will be one of the items offered in the Silent Auction at the MEMO Booth. Copies of the poster and note cards of this collage will also be for sale on Medfield Day.

Medfield Day is only 7 weeks away and the clock is ticking!

Hallisey said he relies heavily on Medfield High student volunteers, through Student Council and beyond to help with set up and breakdown as well as working 2-hour shifts at the Kids Alley rides area. He asked me to make sure I encourage MHS students to sign up online and volunteer to help at this year’s annual big day in Medfield!

Thank you Russ and Hank for all your many years of hard work and dedication to what many Medfielders look forward to each year and think of as the Biggest Show in Town!