Free Concert: On the Road Again, Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Memorial Field (weather permitting)

By Sarah Opdahl

With summer in full swing, New Fairfield’s Parks and Recreation department has a full slate of exciting activities ahead. Whether you want to head to the Town Beach—with its lovely new facilities in the Beach House—sign up a child for a rollicking week of camp or educational activity, take in a concert at Memorial Field, or watch the Illuminated Boat Parade, there are heaps of favorite happenings to enjoy.

With recent heat waves, and for the rest of summer, the Town Beach is the place to be. It is open 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., weather permitting. On Fridays, from June 20 through July 25,, the beach will open at 2:00 -6:00 p.m. Kayak rentals are available at the Town Beach House desk. A single is $10 per hour and a double is $15 per hour—ages 18 and up.

There are several educational and sports camps and activities available for children through the Parks & Recreation page at Newfairfield.org. Sign up for the FLASH Track mini camp, which will be filled with energetic activities and an introduction to track & field skills; the entrepreneurial SPARK business academy camps; or the Little Inventors Camp—a hands-on camp that makes learning fun!

Pack a picnic and find a spot on Memorial Field to sit and enjoy the sounds of local bands, including On the Road Again, who will play rock/country tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m., plus local favorite teacher band, Split Decision, with a range of classic hits on Thursday, July 10;  The Remnants, who will play 1960s, 70s, and 80s classics on Thursday, July 24; and, The Chase, featuring rock and roll family favorites on Thursday, August 7.

The 6th-annual Illuminated Boat Parade will launch on Friday, July 11—with a rain date of Saturday, July 12. The Boat Parade gate entry begins  at 7:30 and the parade will launch at dusk.  New this year there will be live music performed by The Chase Band, with lots of yacht rock and beach tunes. Dozens of decorated boats will line up at Candlewood Isle’s Beach and Clubhouse. The parade route then starts at the Candlewood Isle Beach and will proceed past the New Fairfield Town Beach, Knollcrest Shores, Chatterton Marina, Squantz Pond State launch, and end at Spear Point. Members of the public are welcome to view the parade from the Town Beach.