There’s Much to Discover at the Sherman Community Expo

Saturday, May 2, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

By Sarah Opdahl

On Saturday, May 2, make your way to the Sherman Town Green for the Third Annual Sherman Community Expo. The great-for-all-ages event provides a delightful chance to learn about the goings on at local arts, cultural, and conservation organizations, plus get more insight into available town services. Perhaps most importantly, the event, hosted by the Sherman Commission for the Arts (SCA) and the Sherman Conservation Commission (SCC), provides an opportunity for community members to gather and spend time together in Sherman.

The SCA’s Vice Chair Linda Hubbard shared that the four-hour event provides the town the rare chance, “to meet people, talk to them, connect with them and maybe include them in your life: by joining them or supporting them by attending their activities.” Over twenty local organizations will be in attendance and representatives are looking forward to engaging with community members through lively discussions, by providing information, and offering fun activities.

Hubbard says, if you have not attended an Expo in the past, “this is your year to come. There is so much going on in our town that it is hard to keep up. This is your chance to get updated and really talk to people.” With the goal of community engagement at its center, Hubbard reflected that many people would likely be curious about the Historical Society’s 250th celebration plans; about the events being planned to honor 100 years of the Sherman Playhouse; about the Sherman Artists Association’s upcoming Art Supply Tag Sale, ARTFEST 2026, and their hopes for creating a Sherman Art Center; what events are being planned for the Jewish Community Center, and about the Sherman Library’s Women’ s Soiree, book sale, and numerous special programs.

Those in attendance can expect peeks into the programming at several gems in Sherman or its backyard. For example, you can learn more about what is happening at Deer Pond Audubon, how to take part in Great Hollow’s Photographers Club Juried Art Show, and activities that are afoot for the SCC. In addition, there will be a host of information provided about a variety of available services in Sherman. Hubbard pondered: “Do you really know all the services that Social Services provides? Do you know about the wildlife preservation organizations and what to do if you see an injured animal on your property? Do you know the people that respond to your 911 call?”

Though the Expo will be an information-rich event, it will also be an entertaining one. Live, “uplifting” local music will be rolling, featuring area favorites Yours Truly – Bill and Missy Alexander; Lumos; Just the Two Girls; Don Lowe; and Deb Oria and Al Burgasser. Plus, expect face painting, a scavenger hunt, a “build a bug” activity, and more whimsical fun.

Hubbard shared that while the focus of Community Expo 2026 is to offer information about the community you live in, “If you are hungry, bring your wallet. ” There will be an ice cream truck and the Daily Market will have a barbeque of hamburgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork. Plus, there will be a raffle for a “Sherman Basket”—the happy winner of which will take home a basket of donated goodies from the participating organizations.

 Inspired by the book “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community” by R. Putnam, Hubbard pointed out, “Many of us in Sherman live where we do not even see our neighbors, let alone connect with them. We watch TV or scroll through social media, read online news and try to stay informed.  But that is not being connected to people and it is isolating…In this age of emails, texts, social media, and online news, this is your chance to connect with people.  See them, talk to them, engage with them…” She reflected that this event has the potential for wide reach—”while those who just moved to the area can learn what their new home town is all about, others who have lived here can learn about new activities, new offerings, new services, and maybe how you can be part of and connect with them.”

All are welcome at the 3rd Annual Sherman Community Expo, Saturday, May 2, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (rain date May 3, 11:00 – 3:00 pm). Just bring your curiosity and head to the Sherman Town Green,  Rt 39 North, Sherman, CT 06784.