Parks and Recreation, Commission on Aging & Veteran's Advisory Committee

Note: The Rotary Club Fishing Derby Sat May 11 is from 9am-noon!

2024 Town and PBA Events Listing

Learn all about the event at Discover Putnam!

https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

Vendor applications are available! Fee is $35 and includes a ticket for a chance to win a unique item! Online payment is not yet available for this year.  Checks, money orders or cash only (non-refundable)

You will be officially registered as a vendor & notified via the email you supply on your app once payment is received & app is approved.

• Click for word doc vendor application
• Click for pdf doc vendor application
• Click here to apply online

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (P.A.S.S.)

SPACE WAS LIMITED ~ Waiting list is now being created. This year's P.A.S.S. program is at capacity.

2024-2025 Details

1. COST is $30 per week / per child (cash, check, or money order to P.A.S.S.)
2. START DATE is: 9/3/2024
3. END DATE is: tentatively 6/6/2025 (pending school calendar adjustments)
4. NOTE: we will be doing all half days but will not be open for parent / teacher conference half days.

• Click here to learn about our Putnam After School Services Program on Facebook (P.A.S.S.)

Thank you to all of the Trick or Treating families that attended in October of 2023 on a beautiful (HOT) day! We can't wait to see you in October of 2024!

For all the rules & entry deadline, head to Discover Putnam, and join in the community fun! 

https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

We hope you visited with Santa when he arrived in 2023 ~ if not, check out this video from WINY Radio ~ and be sure to come in 2024!

Santa & treats delivered by: Putnam Recreation Department, WINY Radio, Jewett City Savings Bank & Putnam Fire Department

What will Santa be doing in 2024? Stay tuned for the different themes for each Santa Saturday next year on the Discover Putnam Facebook page! In the meantime, he & the elves have A LOT of work to do! 

Take advantage ~ EVERY DAY ~ of the unique shopping, dining, and family memory opportunities when you Discover Putnam!

Check out the live facebook coverage of Small Business Saturday 2023 with Gary O and WINY Radio.

WOWZA!

Biggest Holiday Dazzle Light Parade EVER in 2023. 

Check out WINY Radio on facebook to see some priceless pics. 

And either participate in or come and watch in 2024!

Look for information in late September 2024!

Get the scoop on Discover Putnam: https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

Create & Share Your Festive Spirit! Join our gingerbread house contest for a chance to win cash prizes. Have fun with your co-workers, students, kids, family & Friends. Let's spread holiday cheer together in Downtown Putnam!

2023/2024 WINTER YOUTH HOOP was HOOPTASTIC!

A record number of youth hoopsters shot for the stars in December 2023 through March 2024!

Here are a couple of shots, and you can see all of the fun in town going on if you click here to check out the Putnam Recreation For Kids facebook page! 

Group shot

Team URI, the 2024 Wentworth Tourney Senior Champions! 

 Team MAGIC, the 2024 Wentworth Tourney NBA Champions!

See you next December for another hooptastic season!

Fire and Ice 2024 was a SMASH!

Set your calendar for February 8, 2025 for the return of the best winter festival ever!

Visit the Discover Putnam website and facebook event pages for info as it is updated! 

Get all the details at Discover Putnam!

https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

Recommended for ages 10 & Under!

The Bunny LOVED to visit with all of you on that rainy Saturday in March of 2024, and will be hopping back in 2025 ~ Stay tuned for the details!

What an Exciting community event! 

What happened in past years?

• Guided tram tours around town
• Cooking demos
• Passports to many countries you can visit all right in downtown Putnam - prize was awarded 
• Street performances
• Face painters
• Origami
• Plenty of downtown shops, galleries, restaurants
• PHOTO OPS galore!
• Visit Discover Putnam for ever updated details on other community events!

WOWZA!

We had a beautiful day and so many good people participate. Thank you doesn't cut it to express our appreciation! See you next year!

And YES - the scouts found a turtle in a shopping cart in the river! "Michaelangelo" was released back into the river.

Beautification Day is a major volunteer effort. Partnering with the Putnam Business Association (PBA), the annual Clean-Up Day happens as Spring arrives. 

Stay tuned for the 2025 date!

Youth groups are encouraged to participate. 

Meet in Rotary Park at 8:30am to get a map and an assigned area. Garbage bags and gloves are handed out to volunteers. 

Clean up your assigned area, and trucks will be positioned around town to haul the garbage away once the clean up is complete.

Meet back in Rotary Park when you are done, and by 11am or so.  

Snacks are available in the morning, and a light lunch of hot dogs & chips are available after the clean up. 

A WIN-WIN for all!

Please contact the Department with any questions. 

Awareness, acceptance, support! 

What a day it was in the park on Saturday May 4, 2024. 

Thousands of people enjoyed the day!

To keep up with all things about this event, please visit the Quiet Corner Pride website www.quietcornerpride.com

This happened!

We had vendors, music, and tons of GREAT VOLUNTEERS like the Diversity Club from Tourtellotte Memorial High School!

Thank you to all who came to enjoy the 2024 Fairy & Magic Fest, wonderful family-friendly community event in spite of the rain!

Remember to keep Discovering Putnam! 

 https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

Take a look back at this great event ~ Saturday August 5, 2023. 

For more future fun, keep your eyes on this web page & Discover Putnam  

• Click here to enjoy the photos of Superhero Saturday
• Click here to enjoy the video of Superhero Saturday 

WE NEED YOU! The Parade Committee is fun, easy, and very rewarding! 1st intro meeting happening 11/12/24, 5pm.  Email Rec Office with any questions & to learn more!

Thank you to all who participated in and attended the 2024 Memorial Day Parade & Program. We'll be back Monday, May 26, 2024.

Click for the 2024 Program pdf

Showcase of local music to raise awareness mental health issues - with proceeds benefiting United Services.

Celebrate Juneteenth, June 19th.

Thanks to the Putnam High School Black History Class Students for their work to bring you this event, held for the 1st time in Putnam on June 19, 2024. 

The 2024 program took place in the Town Complex community rooms, and they were filled. 

The color guard presented the flags, the pledge of allegiance was recited by all, and the PHS acapella singers performed the National Anthem. 

Mayor Seney welcomed the crowd, and PHS students offered wisdom & some info on what Juneteenth is. 

Larry Christy offered a compelling oration of his experience and perspective, covering the span of his years.

Aspinock Historical Society's Bill Pearsall told the tale of Thomas "Tommy" Taylor, who at the young age of 14 was on the ironclad vessel the USS Monitor and during the battle of the Monitor and Merrimac. (Visit the AHS to get the scoop on Tommy, and you can visit his gravestone in the Grove Street Cemetery.)

Sweet tunes were sprinkled throughout the program by the PHS acapella singers. 

The town presented Larry Christy with his "Hometown Hero" banner that flew over the streets of Putnam a few years ago to honor his military service.

Dr. Melissa Zablonski, PHS teacher of the black studies class had parting words and thanks to all attendees and speakers.

It was from start to finish an inspiring, uplifting and eye-opening educational day for all who were involved in organizing the event as well as for the crowd of attendees. 

click to view the program in full

Get all of your details at the Putnam Arts Council website! https://www.putnamctartscouncil.com/

You know the Putnam Fireworks are SPECTACULAR! Paired with a rocking concert. 

We'll see you in 2025! 

Thanks to all who donated, participated in and enjoyed the 2024 fun!

Thank you to 2024 ILLUMI-NATION donors:

• PRICE CHOPPER - MAJOR SPONSOR
• CENTREVILLE BANK - MAJOR SPONSOR
• WIN Waste Innovations - MAJOR SPONSOR
• Putnam Rotary Club
• Smith and Walker Funeral Home
• WINY Radio
• Amplisound Hearing Center
• Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory
• RPC Associates: Ron, Donna & Dave Coderre
• The Courthouse Bar & Grille
• Ensinger Precision Components
• Knights of Columbus Council 64
• Lauren Briere
• Logee's Greenhouses
• Putnam Lodge of Elks #574
• Mary Ann Chinatti
• Kelly's Tire Inc
• The Vapor Shoppe
• Smoke & Mirrors Beauty Loft

Ooooohs & Ahhhhhs all around!

2024 Summer Camp happened July 1- August 9 

We bounced into a lot of fun at Putnam Summer Day Camp in 2024! See you next year!

• Camp Activity Calendar - click for pdf 

   

Thank you Staples Employees for the 2023 donation! 

Camper Rep Meyette & Acting Camp Director DiColella accept check from William Verrette for $250 at the end of July 2023 on behalf of Staples employees in support of camper opportunities. 

(L-R)William Verrette-Staples, Avery Meyette-Day Camper Representative, Colleen DiColella-Acting Day Camp Director.

Keep up with "Putnam Recreation for Kids" on Facebook!  

What exciting theme will occur at the 2025 al fresco show? Stay tuned!

In 2024, this happened!

Yacht Rock Al Fresco ~ a  free concert in Putnam’s Rotary Park happened on July 20, 2024 in spite of Mother Nature's rain delay.

Once the brief and surprising rainfall ended, the 30-piece Putnam Festival Orchestra kept the ship running smoothly as they accompanied these talented Yacht Rock performers:  Ron Giorgio, John Price, Wayne Sinclair, and Elle Sherman.

Yacht Rock Al Fresco 2024 was powered by Centreville Bank, Spicer Propane & Oil, and WIN Waste Innovations. 

After the Yacht Rock crooners finished, the crowd did not abandon ship, but turned their chairs from the stage to the water as the River Fires were lit on the scenic Quinebaug River.

Music for River Fire was be produced by WINY 1350 am & 97.1 fm while the fires were powered by Spicer Propane and the Town of Putnam Public Works & Parks & Recreation Departments.

Shoot for the STARS!

Hoopsters were shooting for the Stars again in the 2024 Putnam Summer Basketball Camp!

 2023 Putnam Summer Basketball Camp hosted 50 campers and staff who enjoyed a great experience of skills and play in Putnam High School gym.

Stay tuned for what 2025 will offer!

2024 gave us the BEST Event EVER!

Stay tuned for 2025 details!

Cars rolled into Putnam August 11, 2024 with show cars and to view the GAZILLIONS (no exaggeration!) of Custom & Classic Cars, Trucks and all around family fun at the FREE Main Street Car Cruise.

MAIN STREET CAR CRUISE TROPHY WINNERS: Thank you to everyone who attended the MAIN STREET CAR CRUISE in Putnam, CT, USA! It was an epic day with great weather, over 2,500 cars and over 15,000 people in attendance.

• CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MAIN STREET CAR CRUISE TROPHY WINNERS:
• BEST TRUCK - BEN MAIO - NEW BRAINTREE, MA
• BEST ENGINE - CHAD CHMURA - ASHLAND, MA
• RAT ROD - DAVID WILLIAMS - CHEPACHET, RI
• BEST MOPAR - PETER REYNOLDS - OXFORD, MA
• BEST JEEP - BRENT St. LOUIS - ENFIELD, CT
• PRO STREET - BRETT CHMURA - NORTH GROSVENORDALE
• ALAN JOSLIN TROPHY - JOHN CICERCHIA - COVENTRY, CT
• BEST OFF ROAD - RICHIE TAYLOR
• BEST FORD MOTOR CO - BERT BERUBE - NORTH GROSVENORDALE
• HOT R0D - SHAWN DENSMORE - POMFRET CENTER, CT
• PRE WAR - STEVEN GILMAN - BROOKLYN, CT
• NON-DOMESTIC - GEOFF DUPONT - DERRY, NH
• BEST GM - RICHY BERARDINO - EAST GRANBY, CT
• BEST PAINT - RAYMOND MESSOK - CHEPACHET, RI
• UNDER CONSTRUCTION - ERIC LEBEAU - DANIELSON, CT
• TOW MATER - NELSON STALKER - STERLING, CT
• BEST SURVIVOR - CHAD LAMOTHE - PUTNAM, CT
• BEST CORVETTE - BOB BEAUDRY - PUTNAM, CT
• MAYOR’S AWARD - BOB FOURNIER - PUTNAM, CT
• BEST TRUCK - COUNTRYSIDE CUSTOMS - NEW BRAINTREE, MA
• BEST TRUCK OVER 10K LBS - HARSHAW PAVING & RECLAMATION - UXBRIDGE, MA

Auto the Goodwill Gorilla made his debut!

A community event with a chance to win prizes. The Pluck-A-Duck season ends in the Kids Zone in Rotary Park on the day of the Annual Main Street Car Cruise, adding to family fun! 

Details at Discover Putnam ~ https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

All proceeds from the event go to IHSP / Daily Bread. 

Stay tuned for what will happen in 2025!

Online tickets sales WILL SELL OUT, so get yours as soon as they are available. 

 Check out the details & get tickets at Discover Putnam! 

https://www.discoverputnam.com/events

In 2024 we Savored dishes, desserts & beverages featuring Honey!

In 2023 we Savored many delightful Flavors of Pepper dishes!

FACILITIES FORMS

• Application for use of Riverview Marketplace Pavilion (facility use)
• Application for all other Recreation Property (facility use)
• Vendor Forms  and Special Event Permits are handled through the Town Clerk's office. 
• NOTE - The Public School Facilities have their own separate application forms.