top of page

Collinsville Jamboree Returns

CANTON – After a three-year hiatus and a rainy start Wednesday evening, the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc.’s Collinsville Jamboree was in full swing Thursday night.

The event, which features rides from Cheshire-based Tufano amusements, games for all ages, food, a beer garden, and more, continues from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday night, May 26 and 27.

Friday is fireworks night and new this year is live music on Saturday night with popular local band Driving Iris. The band plays 7 to 10 p.m.

“Were trying new things,” said Ryan Kerr, who co-chaired this year’s event along with Stevie Juliano.

The Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc. is a private non-profit that supports the town of Canton Fire & EMS. Last year, the corporation funded battery powered extrication equipment worth approximately $50,000, Kerr said.

The jamboree was started in the mid 1960s, when the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department incorporated, said Willi Matava, president of the non-profit.

At that time it was a separate department and it started with the closing of the famed Collins Co. factory.

“The members of the Collins Company Fire Brigade said we’re going to form the Collinsville Fire Department in 1966 and then they said so what can we do to raise some money? They came up with the jamboree – not the carnival but the jamboree,” Matava said.

The event takes place at Memorial Field, 91 Powder Mill Road, Canton. Entry is free and $30 ride bracelets are available each night. Food and drink choices are available at various price points.

– John Fitts


Brantley Perry, 4, takes aim at the jamboree.


Bryce Devost of Bristol at the David Leff Dime Pitch, named in honor of the late David K. Leff of Collinsville, who, among many other pursuits, was a long-time fire safety officer for Canton Fire and EMS. In background is William Volovski, another former fire department officer who served alongside Leff and was his dime pitch cohort.

Mitchell Arel of Harwinton, Charles Paradise of Avon and Bryce Devost of Bristol at the David Leff Dime Pitch, named in honor of the late David K. Leff of Collinsville, who, among many other pursuits, was a long-time fire safety officer for Canton Fire and EMS.


Nathan Robles, 9, lands one in the Fish Pond Game




WHL_01 copy 5.jpg

Valley Happenings

Winter Schminter. Beat the Winter

Doldrums with Lifelong Learning.

Stay cognitively engaged with a course or lecture at Presidents’ College, the adult Lifelong Learning Program at the University of Hartford. Taught by professors and community experts, the program’s 1.5-hour lectures and short 2-3 session non-credit courses include topics like the arts, history, current events, literature, science, and engineering. There’s no membership fee, and students pay a modest amount for only those courses they wish to take.

During the Winter/Spring Semester, you can Indulge your love of travel with a course on Art & Music Along the Silk Road or European Literary Excursions. Delve into Why Poetry Matters with Connecticut’s Poet Laureate, or into the Effects of Declining Birth Rates. Explore the Art & Science of Color or Artificial Intelligence & the Future in Media. Take a look at How Race and Place Influenced Pop Music or Immigration Stories in Film. These are just a few of the offerings. Go to hartford.edu/pc. for details. Email pcollege@hartford.edu to be added to the mailing list. Registration opens Jan. 8.

 

Simsbury Public Library programs

SIMSBURY –  Here are a variety of upcoming programs to enjoy at the Simsbury Public Library! Unless noted otherwise, these events are free and open to all. Please register by calling 860-658-7663 ext. 2 or visiting the library online at www.simsburylibrary.info.

• Warm up and enjoy The Lost Forests of New England by Ray Asselin with Susan Masino on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (snow date Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m). The film follows the evolution of New England forests from the first Europeans to present day and the explorers and scientists who have rediscovered some real treasures. Sponsored by the Simsbury Land Trust.

• Have a magical moment with New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. as he chats about The Magic of Found Family and his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on the newest in the series, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Do you love to cook and try new recipes? Come join the Cookbook Club on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and explore new cuisines each month, share techniques, and expand our culinary skills. This month we will be exploring East African cuisine. Please see the event page for more information.

• Come play against fellow chess enthusiasts at the Adult Chess Club on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. All skills are welcome and chess sets, as well clocks, will be available. Note this is not a class to learn how to play chess. Please register as space is limited.

• Join us on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality as she turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Join Andrea McKay from YDF Center for an Introduction to Belly Dance Workshop on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Belly Dance is an expressive, energizing and empowering form of movement that will burn calories and tone your body. All ages, shapes, and sizes are welcome and no prior dance experience is required.

• An armchair journey to the birds and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands with photographer Bert Sirkin on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. In partnership with the Simsbury Senior Center.

• You’re writing a book (or thinking about it), but what happens next? Connect with Seth Fishman, Vice President and Literary Agent at The Gernert Company on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. and gain an inside look into working with an agent and the beginning stages of the publishing process. This 90-minute presentation includes 30 minutes of Q&A. This is a virtual program and registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

• Protecting our brains and nature are important for long-term well being. On Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., in addition to practical information on brain health, experts will discuss Why We Need Nature and how history, science, and fiscal responsibility can work together to inform public policies. Cosponsored by The Gardeners of Simsbury and The Simsbury Land Trust.

• Are you interested in learning how to access more ebooks and audiobooks through Libby? Come on down Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. for Libby 101 and feel free to bring your device (phone or tablet) with you.

​​

At the Farmington Libraries

 • Remember When...Conversation Group –Call up your friends and join us at the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive on Mondays, Jan. 13 and 27 at 10 a.m. for our new conversation group. Do you remember when you could get together and talk about the good old days? Or how about talking about the things you remember about Farmington and Unionville? Register to let us know you’re attending at www.farmingtonlibraries.org

• Garmany Music Series: Randy and Millie Calistri-Yeh – Enjoy an afternoon of music on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive. Featuring Broadway tunes, classical music, international folk dances, and classic rock songs, along with fascinating stories behind the music. Find out more at www.farmingtonlibraries.org.

Have a press release or story idea? Send me a note.

Thanks for submitting!

© 2023 by Train of Thoughts. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page