West Brookfield triathlon, awards, bonfire planned for July 3

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

WEST BROOKFIELD - This town’s Independence Day celebration will begin early, a day early and at an early hour as well. At 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, triathlon entrants, a Quaboag 350^th event, will gather at the town beach to gear up for the race, which will require adult contenders to swim one-quarter mile, bike twelve miles, and run three miles. Children under age 14 will swim 100 yards in shallow water along the beach, bike one-half mile, and run 300 yards, the rules state.

The triathlon is actually divided into two brackets, explains chairman Dan Sykes: adults, age 14 and up, and children, age 14 and under.

Individuals or teams of three may enter; non-refundable entry fees will be charged. There will be a 7:30 a.m. meeting for all adult participants in the transition area near the beach; the first wave start is scheduled for 8 a.m.

Those age 14 and under will check in and pick up packets at 11 a.m. Adult awards will be presented after the last entrant finishes, following which the under age 14 race will begin.

Last-minute registration will be accepted from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. the day of the races. Adult participation is limited to 200 entrants, the children’s race, 100.

For further information, complete rules or entry forms, visit the West Brookfield link on the Quaboag 350th website, contact Dan Sykes at 508-867-8596, or e-mail QPTC@Quaboag350.com. Entry forms may also be obtained in the lobby of West Brookfield town hall.

The holiday celebration will continue at 6:30 p.m. on the common, when the post card design and essay contest winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the bandstand, followed by the concert and bonfire.

Essay and postcard contests were conducted earlier in the year at Quaboag Regional High School for the essay contest and at all Quabaog Plantation area high schools, for the postcard design competition.

Essay contest participants, limited to ninth graders, were to write an essay limited to 1,000 words, the topic: “In 1660, planter families first settled in the wilderness of the Quaboag Plantation (what is now the Brookfields, New Braintree and Warren.) What makes this area special 350 years later?” One finalist has been chosen following the May 28 deadline. The finalist will receive a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, and Quaboag Plantation 350^th commemorative coin.

Student from grades K-12 were invited to submit postcard designs, depicting “The favorite seasonal activity in your home town”. Five pieces from each grade level were selected by school art teachers; 20 semi-finalists, one from each grade level in each town, were chosen. Each of the 20 will receive a Quaboag 350^th commemorative coin, and a citation; their work will be displayed as a part of the Quaboag 350^th celebration.

Six grand finalists’ designs will be selected to be reproduced as part of a set of postcards. Those postcards will be offered to the public as a part of the celebration. In addition to the coin and citation, the six grand finalists will have their work framed and displayed with a name plaque. They will also receive a complimentary set of postcards.

According to contest chairman for these two events, Anne-Marie Nolan, the competitions have been a subject of interest and excitement in area schools, and the results gratifying. “We’ve kept the results a secret. It will be exciting to announce the winners,” Nolan said.

The West Brookfield Music Committee’s band concert featuring Rick Larrimore, a Rod Stewart Tribute band, will perform from 7:30 – 10 p.m. The bonfire will begin as darkness descends.

The rain date for the contest awards, the concert and bonfire will be Sunday, July 4.

Sunday, July 4 will be the afternoon and evening of Lake Wickaboag Improvement Association’s annual decorated waterfront contest, featuring an American history theme. Lakefront residents are invited to arrange still or interactive scenes, visible from the lake, built around a specific theme. Judging begins at 7 p.m., followed by a boat parade around the lake to begin about 8:15 p.m., according to LWPA member All Collings.

Collings says that usually there are 20 to 30 decorated cottages entered in the competition, “and if the whispers I’m hearing are correct, there may be even more this year, due to the Quaboag 350^th celebration. Winners in differing categories are chosen by a panel of judges; the grand prize winner receives a light ring displaying the LWPA logo, which may be displayed at the winner’s property for the remainder of the summer.

Following the awarding of prizes, there are, Collings says, fireworks displays by lakeside residents. “Not sponsored by any group, just individuals,” he said, but the lake provides a beautiful backdrop.

Photographs of the winning displays are shown at the August LWPA dinner; prize winners are announced on the LWPA website, usually within two or three days, he said. The judges this year are selectman David Eisenthal, Amy Dugas, and Patti White.

For further information, call Denise Pontbriand at 508-867-9394.