Sunny Skies Await 34th Stoneham Town Day

The 34th annual Stoneham Ton Day will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Stoneham Town Common.

Sponsored by the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce, Town Day was established to celebrate and showcase the town and its business, recreation, artistic, cultural and non-profit communities. Town Day began on a much smaller scale as a way for Chamber of Commerce businesses to showcase their products and services to the Stoneham community. Over the years it has grown to include many school and non-profit organizations, local performers and entertainment, a variety of area food retailers, and numerous fun activities one expects at outdoor fairs. Last year there were 144 exhibitors at the event.

Rico Petrocelli "Captain of the Infield" for the Red Sox 1967 Impossible Dream Team, will be at Town Day to meet fans and autograph his new book Tales From the 1967 Red Sox Dugout. Rico will be guest at the exhibitor booth of Chamber member Stadium Oil Heat, President-Owner Rhonda Yanco Zero.

On the wilder side, some well-known Stoneham personalities and some newer faces in the community are lining up to taunt attendees from a perch in the dunk tank. The Stoneham Community Development Corporation (Stoneham CDC) is announcing its formation this year with its sponsorship of the dunk tank - right outside the fire station. Attendees will be challenged to dunk some of our local politicians and Town and school officials, among others. A baptism of sorts is rumored for new Stoneham schools’ Superintendent John Macero.

On the quieter side, attendees of all ages are encouraged to relax a bit and enjoy playing chess. Stoneham middle school teacher and student chess club advisor John Havican, and Stoneham Boys & Girls Club technology instructor T. J. Leason, will be on hand to oversee the chess open games activity. There will be 6 chess sets available all day to welcome those eager to play or learn the basics of the game.

Introduced last year, committee members are excited to bring back the Chamber’s Giant Prize Wheel that guarantees a prize for each entrant. Round’s Hardware and the Boys & Girls Club are teaming up for a hands-on workshop where you and your child can build and personalize your own wooden bird feeder. Kuncklebones will bring unique lawn games and activities for participants of all ages on the front lawn of the Police Station.

Near the conclusion of the day, enter your dog in the first Stoneham Town Day Dog Show. Free registration at 2:30pm in front of the Police Station, and prizes for judged Best Small and Big Dog, Best Mutt, Owner/Pet look-alike, Dog Trick, and Best in Show!

Back by popular demand is the four-station Miniature Farm petting zoo, Stoneham Ford’s Rock N Roll RC Racing, several Stone Zoo featured program animals and the ever-popular kids’ rides from North American Amusement, which this year includes a mechanical bull in the array of rides.

Of course, attendees will also enjoy the many exhibits of chamber members and other area businesses, school groups, Town organizations, non-profits, food vendors, raffles, rides, contests and festival entertainment.

Information from the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce website was used in this report