MONROE, CT — The Save Our Stepney Task Force (SOS) in celebration of the Town of Monroe’s Bicentennial will host a Stepney Bicentennial Celebration on the Stepney Green, at the corner of Main and Green streets, Saturday, June 10, from 1 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 11, from 2 to 6 p.m.
The green will be filled with antique tractors from Kate Chase’s Rocledge Farm. Ol’time machines will be puffing and chugging away courtesy of Stepney resident Kevin Barney, a member of the Connecticut Antique Machines Association.
Get your picture taken with President James and Elizabeth Monroe for whom the town was named when incorporated on May 23, 1823. A historical timeline of the history of the village of Stepney will be installed on the green, and on Saturday a huge bounce house and slide will be inflated for all.
Flying horses, history wheel
The event will offer free flying horse rides on a carousel, Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 11, from 2 to 6 p.m. in the spirit of times past.
The Stepney Volunteer Fire Company will be on hand with a touch-a truck event.
Visit the SOS history tent with its Stepney memorabilia and take a pictorial walk down Main Street.
Spin the Stepney History Wheel and try your luck at answering trivia questions to win a prize. Colorful Stepney Calendars filled with historical happenings and images will be on sale.
Collect four Stepney bicentennial buttons created just for the weekend.
A Cake Walk
Be a part of the Saturday and Sunday Cake Walk around Stepney Gazebo from 2 to 3 p.m., when the dance music stops, those ending up on the selected numbered square will win a cake donated by Mariola’s Cafe, Bakery & Deli, Big Y World Class Market, Purdy Hill Bakery or Terra Cafe.
Sunday try your skill at axe throwing from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring the Litchfield County Axe House. Three free throws per person. Participants must be age 10-or-older and sign a waiver.
Also on Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m., there will be a cornhole tournament with two divisions, adults 18-and-older and children. Thanks to Scott and Lisa Selby of Board and Brush in Monroe, two sets of cornhole boards have been designed and donated for the event. The boards will be awarded to the top finisher in each division. Contact Joel Leneker at JLeneker@aol,com to sign up in advance. There is no entry fee.
Purchase your bicentennial memorabilia in support of the town wide celebration. Refreshments will be available for purchase featuring baked Stepney cookies from Chokolate Kreations by Kristyn, Italian ices from Italian Ices of Connecticut, as well as bottled water, popcorn and other snacks.
Be sure not to miss the donuts prepared by Monroe Boy Scout Troop 62 on Sunday. Parking for this celebration is available at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, 15 Pepper St.
The Save Our Stepney Task Force, Inc., is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, more specifically to preserve and enhance the character of the village of Stepney, incorporated within the town of Monroe. The organization’s scope of concern includes identifying, documenting, improving and/or preserving historic, cultural and natural properties and features of Stepney. Activities include public events, education, beautification and cultural enrichment.
For information, or to be apart of the Stepney Green Bicentennial celebration, contact Kathie Loehr at 203-261-7892. Follow the Save Our Stepney Task Force on Facebook.
