July In The Sky

June 30, 2011
Rain date(s) July 1, July 6, 

 Brought to you by the Town of Vernon, CT

Vernon Parks & Recreation Department
  and our major 2011 Event Sponsors

 Rockville Bank Foundation
&
Price Chopper and Kraft

-News stories-

Patch.com - July 1, 2011 - Crowds Flock to July in the Sky Celebration, Fireworks light up the sky.

Journal Inquirer - June 28, 2011-Vernon to kick off holiday weekend with fireworks on Thursday

Activities start at 6 pm

Two giant locations with entertainment and family-oriented activities

   ACTIVITIES - HENRY PARK

Henry Park    
   120 South Street  

   Coordinated by the  
 Vernon Parks & Recreation Dept. 

ACTIVITIES - DOWNTOWN ROCKVILLE

   Historic Downtown Rockville   
   Vernon's Victorian Village  

  Coordinated by the  
  Rockville Community Alliance  

9:40 p.m. (approx.) Fireworks 

 activities are subject to change, check back often for updates 

 activities are subject to change, check back often for updates 

  American Karate Youth Martial Arts Center  

2011 Event Sponsors

Sign Connection • ReminderNews & Reminder Gold Pages

check back often for updates

The Vernon Parks and Recreation Department will once again sponsor the fantastic fireworks show, July in the Sky both in Henry Park and Downtown Rockville. Each year, hundreds of families enjoy good food, fun events like the "Push, Pull and Peddle Patriotic Parade" and of course, the annual fireworks display. The Rockville Community Alliance will this year assist Parks and Recreation manage the downtown Rockville event.

Your organization can be part of July in the Sky, June 30 from 6 pm until 10:00 pm (July 1 rain date) by sponsoring a food booth, an organizational information booth, or a "carnival" type attraction. Here is a description and fee schedule:

• Local Organization Information Booth: Free
  For a vendor application, please email info@rockvillecommunityalliance.org.
  
• Local Organization Game Booth: $50
Games like Ring Toss, Bean Bag Toss, etc. You bring your own components and change a fee for the activity.

• Carnival Inflatables & Games
  This is a new idea. We have available many games, inflatable slides, bouncies and dunk tanks. Your organization "rents" an attraction, and this fee defrays the cost of the attraction and the fireworks. The RCA will put up and take down the item, and your organization provides staff and collects a small fee from each participant. You keep all the money you raise!
  
  All insurance costs are covered. For a list of attractions and the rental fees, please email info@rockvillecommunityalliance.org.
  
  
• Food Vendor: Reduced to $100
  If you wish to run a food booth, Health Department forms need to be completed and submitted by June 15. Please go to their site at www.ncdhd.org for more information. We have reduced our fee to help you pay for the Health Dept fee. Peddler, Hawker Permit is required if you are selling anything, and a $25 fee will apply. One permit with a list of all additional worker names, addresses, DOB, SS# will be needed. This must be sent to the Vernon Police Dept. as soon as possible. An on-line permit can be found by going to http://www.vernon-ct.gov/policeforms Look for their "Solicitor Application", or please email info@rockvillecommunityalliance.org.

times and activities are subject to change

check back often for updates!

Town of Vernon
Mayor Jason McCoy

Vernon Parks & Recreation Department

120 South Street, Vernon, CT 06066 
Tel: 860-870-3520        Fax: 860-870-3525

Director: Bruce Dinnie
Assistant Director: Steve Krajewski
Recreation Supervisor: Bruce Watt
Recreation Supervisor: Amy Locandro

Historic downtown Rockville
event partner

Rockville Community Alliance

Town of Vernon, CT website:

  www.vernon-ct.gov  

Parks & Recreation website:

      www.vernon-ct.gov/parks  

Rockville Community Alliance website:

  www.RockvilleCommunityAlliance.org  

Produced by the Vernon Parks & Recreation Dept.

Event contact: Steve Krajewski - 860/870-3520

Produced by the Vernon Parks & Recreation Dept. in cooperation
 with the Rockville Community Alliance (RCA)

Event contact: Tom Didio - 860/646-5320

Window_poster-Color.pdf                                       Window_poster_bw.pdf

JulyInTheSkyAd-Single page-2011.pdf

activities are subject to change, check back often for updates

FIREWORKS AT

APPROXIMATELY 9:40PM

from FOX HILL TOWER IN HENRY PARK

Due to the generosity of the local sponsors, enough money was raised to keep this year's show great! Individuals walking to Henry Park and Downtown will be charged a $1.00 admission that will be used for next year's show. *Individuals walking can enter Tower Road until 10:00 a.m., no vehicles or pedestrians allowed after 10:00 a.m.

No alcoholic beverages, sparklers, fireworks, pets (including dogs) are allowed in the event areas both at Henry Park and Downtown Rockville. In addition, bicycles, skateboards and scooters are prohibited as well, except for during push, pull & pedal parade.

Cars will be charged $5.00 to park at Henry Park, which will be collected at the gate that night. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Walk-ins will be charged $1.00 admission at BOTH SITES. Proceeds will help fund next year’s event. Limited traffic rules in effect beginning at 6:00 PM — Road Closures: HENRY PARK SITE: Spruce Street, Tower Road, Henry Park portions of Thomas Street. There will be no foot traffic allowed on Tower Road beginning at 8:00 p.m. DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL SITE: Portions of East & West Main Streets, Park Street, St. Bernard’s Terrace and Park Place. (residents who live on these streets should plan accordingly, but will be allowed vehicular access). No Parking: Vernon Avenue, McLean Street, South Street. One Side Only Parking: High Street, Howard Street, Fox Hill Drive, Reed Street, Kevin Drive Cars parked in Henry Park will exit onto South Street going WEST. Cars parked on Fox Hill Drive, Reed Street, Hale Street Extension, Crown Street and White Street will exit onto South Street going EAST. FREE DOWNTOWN PARKING AT ST. BERNARD’S CHURCH, ROCKVILLE PROFESSIONAL CENTER, ROCKVILLE BANK, UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, TOWN HALL PARKING LOT, BOARD OF EDUCATION LOT

Push, Pedal, Pull Patriotic Parade

1oth Anniversary!!

2011-PPPPP-Flyer-Draft.pdf   

 2011-PPPPP-Flyer-Draft__rev_6-20-11.pdf

Oh, the celebrations we've had 
in these ten years!!!!!!

 Special thanks to Adam at "The Trophy Shop" for donating the Grand Prize trophy to best overall winner!   
  214 Hartford Tpke., Vernon, CT 860/871-0867  
    www.thetrophyshop.biz  

Photo credit: Alisha Petrozza - Vernon.Patch.com 

  Uncle Sam, Marylin Tyrol, Mayor Jason McCoy 

  Coordinated by  
  Diane Waskiewicz & Marylin Tyrol  

  The “Push, Pedal, Pull, Patriotic Parade” which features children, teens and adults riding, pushing, pulling or rolling anything that can move down the street and can be decorated to display a patriotic theme. Participants can appear in costume in addition to decorating their tricycles, bicycles, unicycles, wagons, carts, carriages, scooters, skateboards or roller skates.   

  The procession will organize in front of Bank of America at approximately 7;00pm, with decorating assistance being provided by volunteers prior to the start of the judging at 7:15. The parade at 7:30pm. “Uncle Sam” will help to lead the parade along East Main Street, through the downtown area, to Union and Elm Street, and then back again.   

 Ribbons and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each of several age categories. The parade will be led by Mayor Jason McCoy riding in a convertible supplied by Mr.  Jerry Bundy of Bundy Motors.   

    Arizona Maid Band  

  www.myspace.com/arizonamaidband/  

  "T-Bone" Tom Stankus  

    PERFORMANCE TIMES  
  6:45 in Downtown Rockville  
  8:00 pm in Henry Park   

T-Bone is affectionately known to his audiences as “America’s musical Pied Piper”. He has performed for thousands of people throughout the United States since 1972. Maybe it’s the child in him that enables T-Bone to connect so well with his audiences or the fact that he has the energy of a runaway freight train. Whatever the reason, and before his audiences realize it, they are clapping, singing and dancing at T-Bone’s shows. This is “full contact” entertainment at it’s best and a show your community won’t soon forget! 
  For more info visit his website  www.t-bonemusic.com  

North Central District Health Department

Health Dept. Forms for vendors

TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE APPLICATION  tmpfoodapp.pdf

9 Vernon - 375 Hartford Turnpike, Suite 120, Vernon, CT 06066 - (860) 872-1501 FAX 872-1531

Crowds Flock to July in the Sky Celebration

Fireworks light up the sky.

ByAlisha Petrozza and Chris Dehnel

The Parade has begun! Credit: Alisha Petrozza

It was a few days before Thursday's July in the Sky celebration and Russ Johndrow was getting philosophical.

"You know, it is really an event that brings people together. Johndrow, the owner of Russ' Time Rock 'N' Roll Diner in Rockville.

And Johndrow was never more correct than this year as he and hundreds of his closest friends celebrated Independence Day in the downtown streets.

There was a little something for everyone - the prime views (and food) from St. Bernard Church, Bryan Flint of the Rockville Community Alliance posing as Uncle Sam on stilts and plenty of room to maneuver those baby strollers.

There was more food by the area restaurants, like Russ' Time.

Mayor Jason McCoy kicked things off shortly after 6 when he hustled into Rockville after presiding over the ground-breaking ceremony for the town's new arts center.

Close by was Town Council Member James Krupienski, who marveled at the job done by the RCA and the municipal Parks and Recreation Department.

Those who ere not downtown were at Henry Park to swatch the fireworks and those not downtown or at henry Park seemed to be at Northeast School. SGT. Daniel Champagne, the shift supervisor for the Vernon Police Department on Thursday night, said the crowds were good.

Board of Education member Laura Bush said seeing al the family out made her want to volunteer to read to students this summer.

Perhaps Flint summed it up when he was high-fiving kids as they finished the parade.

"A great night,'' he said. "Just a great night.''

And that was before the fireworks began shortly after 9:30 p.m. They were shot off from the Fox Hill Tower and lit up the sky with their colors and precision.

Vernon to kick off holiday weekend with fireworks on Thursday

http://journalinquirer.com/articles/2011/06/28/towns/vernon/doc4e09fb250a8f9017380379.txt 

By Suzanne Carlson
Journal Inquirer

Published: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 12:06 PM EDT

VERNON — The 66th annual July in the Sky event is scheduled for Thursday and will feature food, fun, and fireworks at both Henry Park and the downtown Rockville area.

Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Steve Krajewski said both sites are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. and will have entertainment, giant inflatable bouncy rides, food, and more.

In 1945, the town began shooting off Independence Day fireworks at Fox Hill Tower, but then for many years, the liftoff point was moved to Legion Field. In 2001, however, the fireworks returned to the tower and to Henry Park, where every year hundreds spread out picnic blankets and claim front-row seats for the action.

Henry Park will close at 4 p.m. for preparations and will remain closed for two hours, so all park activities need to halt during that time, Krajewski said.

Tower Road will close at 10 a.m. Thursday to all pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

There will be a $5 parking fee at Henry Park, and there will be a $1 charge for pedestrians entering Henry Park or the downtown area.

The Rockville Community Alliance is assisting with management of the downtown festivities this year and a slew of activities are on tap all evening long, including a dunk tank, carnival games, inflatable bounce houses and other activities, and food from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Second Helping Musical Duo will perform from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a demonstration by the American Karate Youth Martial Arts Center from 6:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Children’s entertainer Tom “T-Bone” Stankus will be onstage from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m., after which there will be a watermelon eating contest.

Dennis Nevins is set to sing the national anthem at 7:30 p.m., kicking off the time-honored Push, Pull, and Pedal Patriotic Parade through downtown, followed by songs from the Arizona Maid Band right up until the fireworks start at approximately 9:40 p.m.

Alcohol, pets, bicycles, skateboards, fireworks, and sparklers are prohibited from Henry Park and the downtown area, Krajewski said.

The Fox Hill Tower light will be on if the fireworks are canceled for any reason and WFSB-TV 3 and WVIT-TV 30 will broadcast cancellation announcements.

There also will be a recording on the parks and recreation phone line, 860-870-3520. 

The rain date for the event is Friday, July 1.

Click to enlarge1

Henry Park: • Spruce Street • Tower Rd. after 10 a.m. • Henry Park portions of Thomas St.

There will be no foot traffic or vehicles allowed on Tower Road beginning at 10:00 a.m. (residents who live on these streets should plan accordingly.

• Vernon Avenue • McLean Street • South Street

• High Street • Howard Street • Fox Hill Drive

• Reed Street • Kevin Drive • Hale Street Extension

• Earl Street • Crown Street

Cars parked in Henry Park will exit onto South St. going West.

Cars parked on Fox Hill Dr., Reed St., Hale St. Extension, Crown St. and White St. will exit onto South St. going East.

Two Giant Inflatable Toys • The ROCK 106.9 WCCC “Fun Zone”

Local band performance • Karl Saliter’s Circus Comedy Show

Dennis Nevin singing the National Anthem

FOOD! FOOD! FOOD!

Helpful Hints & Rules