SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Rotary is sponsoring its second annual Southwick Days next month at the Southwick Recreation Center.
The three-day family event is set for July 24-26 and features carnival rides and special attractions.
The carnival opens Friday at 5 p.m. and features fireworks around 9 p.m.
Rotarian Joseph Deedy said the Parks and Recreation Commission will once again support fireworks, but donations are needed.
“We welcome donations,” said Deedy. “The Parks and Rec has $1,800 in its fireworks budget, and it costs about $9,000, plus another $2,500 for police for the event.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation should send it to the Southwick Rotary, PO Box 701, Southwick, MA 01077.
The summertime tradition of the Firemen’s Parade continues July 25 with step-off at 6 p.m. from Town Hall. Marchers will parade down College Highway to Feeding Hills road and turn down Powder Mill Road to the Recreation Center, the site of Southwick Days.
Deedy said any scout troops or local organizations who wish to march should contact Mike Ferraraccio at 413-896-8559 or Bob Fox at 413-579-4585.
“We will have fire apparatus from Southwick and surrounding towns,” said Deedy. “I contacted Westfield and Agawam and welcome any town who wants to join our parade.”
The parade will be followed by live music from the Charlie Galvin Band at 7 p.m.
Rides are open Saturday from 3-10 p.m.
On Sunday, three special events will add to Southwick Days’ attractions, including the Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Baseball Challenge at 1 p.m. Players are being sought for this fun game. For information, contact Brian Schneider at 413-244-2529.
The annual Grill’n Daze BBQ Competition is set to start at noon with live music from Jack and His Guitar, followed by Rich Badowski Blues Band at 2 p.m. The entertainment will accompany the cooking that will take place throughout the afternoon, with judging to begin at 3 p.m. Categories include chili, poultry, pork and beef. Deedy said you don’t have to be a professional chef to enter the competition.
“If you can cook meat on your backyard grill, you can enter,” said Deedy.
A total of $2,100 prizes will be awarded that evening.
A new addition to the event is the Jaime S. Rivera Benefit Car Show from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Organized by the Bovat family of Southwick, this annual car show benefits Racing Against Cancer and includes prizes and raffles.
For information on entering the Car Show, contact Jeff Bovat at 413-569-2415.
The Southwick Rotary organized the event last year when funds for the fireworks fell short and the Firemen’s Parade was cancelled. This year, the Rotary is once again sponsoring Southwick Days in conjunction with the Southwick Recreation Center, Southwick Parks and Recreation Commission, and Southwick Cultural Council.
