Parks and Recreation & Commission on Aging (COA)

2025 Summer Camp runs July 1- August 8

Registration is open: click here to create your account and register by adding the program week(s) you want to your shopping cart and pay online. Same forms that you used to fill out in paper versions are now all online

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!

Al Fresco Concert & River Fire in Rotary Park ~ Saturday, July 19, 2025

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.

Summer Basketball Clinic ~July 21, 22, 23rd, 2025 - REGISTRATION OPEN

Camp registration opened May 1st ~ Click here to create your account (if you don't already have one) and register for summer hoop clinic!

Click to Register for program

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.

Concert & River Fire in Rotary Park ~ Saturday, August 9, 2025

Main Street Car Cruise ~ throughout downtown ~ Sunday, August 10, 2025

Sunday, August 10, 2025

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!

Pluck-a-Duck Extravaganza by Putnam Business Association in Rotary Park ~Sunday, August 10, 2025

P.A.S.S. Program (Putnam After School Services) with Putnam Rec

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

COST is $30 per week / per child (cash, check, or money order to P.A.S.S.)
START DATE is: 9/3/2024
END DATE is: tentatively 6/6/2025 (pending school calendar adjustments)
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.)

Savor the Flavor Annual Tasting Event ~ Sunday, September 7, 2025

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!

Particle Accelerator ~ A Benefit Concert in Rotary Park ~ NEW DATE Sept 13, 2025

Annual Scarecrow Contest by Putnam Business Association ~ every October

Zombie Fashion Show by Discover Putnam ~ Friday, October 3, 2025

Great Pumpkin Fest ~ Saturday, October 18, 2025

Downtown Trick or Treating ~ Saturday, October 25, 2025

Santa Arrives and Lights Up Putnam ~ Friday, November 28, 2025 ~ 4pm

Santa Saturdays in Putnam! ~ Santa has headed back to the North Pole workshop, but will visit again in 2025!

Small Business Saturday in Putnam ~ always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, 10am-2pm ~ remember to make EVERY DAY a day to shop local!

Holiday Dazzle Light Parade ~ Always the Sunday after Thanksgiving ~ Sunday, November 30, 2025 (rain date Sun December 7)

Winter Youth Basketball ~ Stayed tuned for program in December 2025

All Ages 5-7 (Primary) @ 8:30am.
All Girls Ages 8-14 @ 9:30am.
Boys Junior Ages 8-9 @ 10:30am.
Boys Senior Ages 10-11 @ 11:30am.
Boys NBA Ages 12-14 @ 12:30pm.
Putnam Residents only

2024/2025 WINTER YOUTH HOOP season has concluded!

2023/2024 WINTER YOUTH HOOP season has concluded!

Here are a couple of shots of 23/24 season, 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 & Ice Festival ~ Saturday, February 7, 2026 ~ 12 noon-8pm

O'Putnam 5K & Wee Mile ~ Returning in 2026

Gingerbread House Contest by Putnam Business Association ~ every December

Greet the Easter Bunny ~ He'll hop back in for 2026!

International Day ~ Downtown Putnam ~ Stay tuned for 2026 event!

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!

Quiet Corner Pride Festival ~ Stay tuned to see what happens in May 2026

Beautification Day ~ Meet 8:30am in Rotary Park ~ Snacks & light lunch included!

Help clean up our beautiful town each year to celebrate Earth Day!

Stay tuned for 2026 April date!

Scenes from Beautification 2024

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

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.

Youth needing community service hours shouldbring their form with them to be signed.

A WIN-WIN for all!

Fishing Derby for children by Putnam Rotary Club ~ every May ~ 9am-noon ~ Ages 15 & under

Superhero Day ~ happened Saturday, May 17, 2025

Fairy & Magic Festival ~ Happened Saturday, May 18, 2024 Watch for a future return

Memorial Day Parade & Program in the Park ~ Monday, May 25, 2026 ~ 10am start

Juneteenth in Municipal Complex ~ June 19, 2026

Putnam Fine Arts & Crafts Festival by Putnam Arts Council (PAC) at Municipal Complex ~ 2026 details to come

Fireworks (9:15pm) & Concert (Headliners 7pm) in Rotary Park ~ Returning July 2026

Click here for Forms to Rent Recreation Facilities

FACILITIES use and rental FORM

Applications for Rec Facilities are available upon request for appropriate situations. Call Rec Office 860-963-6811, leave message if needed.
NOTE - 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.
NOTE - The town complex has their own separate application form available in the Administration Office.

* Click here for Senior Activities, Menus & News *

Recreation Commission

Commission on aging Veterans Advisory committee ~ town Vet organizations working together on projects

Welcome to the Parks and Recreation Department!

The Department of Parks and Recreations runs a comprehensive schedule of activities and programs for the youths, adults, and seniors in our community. We maintain and supervise all of the Parks and Park Buildings within the town. Our office is the point of contact for program registration and information. We also offer online forms for your convenience. In addition, you can find out about the projects by the Veterans Advisory Committee from this page.

Learn about Putnam Little League, WPTP Football & Cheer, NECONN Youth Soccer & QV Special Olympics

A great part of Putnam Youth Activities, click the links below to go directly to the organizations that offer:

As always, keep up to date with the Putnam Recreation for Kids facebook page here.