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Full Day of Fun Planned for Deep River Family Day

School is back in session and there is a fall chill in the air and as the seasons shift, residents can celebrate at Deep River Family Day & Fireworks, which is Saturday, Sept. 16. The fun starts early with a 5K, continues with events throughout the day, and finishes off with a fireworks show.

“The Deep River Merchants Association [DRMA] is the main provider of the carnival and activities hosted by businesses along Main Street,” said Cindy Lignar, a past president of and current member of the DRMA. “The park and Rec Department sponsors the 5K, DJ, and fireworks. It’s a joint effort and it’s a way for us to give back to the community and honor families in town. It’s a special event for us and we take it to heart.”

Family Day kicks off bright and early as registration for the 5K and Fun Run opens at 7:30 a.m. at Devitt Field. The one-mile Fun Run begins at 8:15 a.m. followed by the 23rd annual 5K Run/Walk on the USATF-certified course at 9 a.m.

There will be other events in and around town throughout the day with many local businesses holding events in conjunction with Family Day. Other organizations such as the Rotary Club and Lions Club help sponsor the event as well.

The Deep River Garden Club hosts a daffodil bulb and mum sale on the Deep River Public Library lawn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Daffodil bulbs are six for $5, eight-inch mums, kale, and pansies are $5, and 12-inch mums are $25. The proceeds benefits the club’s beautification projects.

The Deep River Historical Society (DRHS) will host an exhibition, Native American Harvest, at the Stone House, 245 Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The exhibit will also be open from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Richard Kalapos, a trustee of DRHS and town historian, will discuss the relationship that the Native Americans had with their environment and how the forest, waterways, and sea provided them with all their wants.

“I want to give people a feel for the contributions that Native Americans have made and the world they had—if you look at the forest, you see trees; with the ocean, instead of just water, they’d see food, money in form of quohogs and cockles,” said Kalapos. “They lived in a very self-sufficient world. They recognized themselves a part of the world, as opposed to controlling the environment. It was a totally different mindset.”

At Deep River Elementary School, the DRMA hosts a carnival with a bungee run, moonbounce, obstacle course, a 22-foot slide, and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free hayrides will board at the elementary school from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hot dogs will be sold on the Town Hall lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Throughout Family Day, businesses along Main Street will host a variety of events and activities, such as sales and specials, raffles, face painting, goody bags, giveaways, games with prizes, pumpkin painting, and more. There will also be a pizza eating contest and the pet parade.

The fun moves to Plattwood Park in the evening hours as DJ Mike Prodoti provides music from 6 to 9:45 p.m. The fireworks are slated to shoot off beginning at 8:30 p.m. The rain date for the fireworks is Sunday, Sept. 17.

“The day starts with the one-mile fun run and there is something happening all day until the fireworks,” said Lignar. “It is a way for families to spend a really nice afternoon together in our own town doing really fun activities. It’s our way of giving back and making sure families have fun together in town.”