Groton looks forward to week of family fun

Almost everyone I speak to lately is saying the same thing — “I can’t believe how fast the summer is going by!”

While summer is not officially over until Sept. 21, the end of August usually causes people to feel that it’s ending. Even if you may feel that way, Groton has an amazing week planned from Aug. 22 to Aug. 28 that can help lift your spirits.

Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St., has been hosting its Mega Sports Camp (MSC) for the past few years but is switching it up this summer to host “Ocean Commotion: Diving into Noah’s Flood” Vacation Bible School (VBS).

Many in the community may remember the VBS programs the church held prior to the MSC years, but this VBS will be like no other before it. It will be filled with adventure and fun for children age 5 — who have completed kindergarten — through seventh grade, including those who just completed the grade.

Pastor Sharon Newman said there will be “lessons, fun experiments, yummy snacks and games that include water, so everyone should wear clothing that can get wet and bring a towel!”

Nightly skits will introduce superheroes Scuba-Man (played by Pastor Sam Neno) and Snorkel-Dude (played by Brian Twitchell), as well as a shark named Great White (played by Mike Competillo), Turtle (played by Penny Neno), Octopus (played by Erica Short) and Alex (played by Erin Neno).

Twitchell, who will be teaching the lesson portion of the program, said, “One teaching theme of this VBS is that the Bible and science are compatible, and another is that the Bible is more than just a collection of stories, but rather historical events that have left a trail of evidence.”

This free program will be held nightly Aug. 22 through Aug. 26, with registration from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and the program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Call the church at (607) 898-5263 with any questions.

Finishing out that week will be Groton Olde Home Days (GOHD) — a well-loved community staple for decades — Aug. 26 through Aug. 28. While not inclusive of every offering during the three-day festival, I bring you a fairly extensive list of highlights.

The Playland Amusements Carnival Midway, from which 15% of all ticket sales will support GOHD, will open at 6 p.m. Aug. 26 in the Speedway lot and will also be open at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 and at noon on Aug. 28 with wristband specials from 1 to 4 p.m.

Food and beverages will be in abundance throughout the village. Casper’s Kitchen will offer a chicken barbecue from 4 p.m. until gone Aug. 27. Foggy Bog Hunting Camp will have its hot sausage, burger and fresh-cut French fry tent at the H&R Block lot Aug. 27 and 28, and the Groton Fire Department will be cooking at the Groton American Legion Post 800, just to name a few.

The Groton Future Farmers of America (FFA) will hold a tractor show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 28 in the lot across from Baker-Miller Lumber, along with a food tent with light breakfast items, coffee and other beverages, chicken barbecue, salt potatoes and fire-roasted corn on the cob.

Music will be filling the air as well with country, bluegrass and blues acoustic duo Josh Dwyer and Joel Kane from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27 at the C.R. Pavilion on Main Street, Chasing Neon from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 27 and Bendher from 8 to 11 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Groton American Legion Post 800 Pavilion.

New this year is the Leisure Studio Concert Stage in the lot at 123 Main St. behind Main Street Pizzeria, proudly sponsored by Young and Sons Custom Renovation.

There will be music from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 28 by Logan Wannall, Adam Parker and Tim Newton, in that order. After the grand parade, the musical lineup will be Ryla, Hangman’s Heart and 222.

Summerhill Brewing will be serving beer, Treleaven Wine will have a wine and slushie booth, and Casper’s Kitchen will be serving food.

Aug. 28 will bring a plethora of activities for all ages: The Groton Historical Association annual “Crafts & Collectibles” show from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Town Barn on Conger Blvd.; free pony rides from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; a “meet and greet” with Paw Patrol from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and the Groton Cruisers Car Club from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — all on Conger Boulevard — and a magic show with Sir James will be at noon in the Conger Boulevard Gazebo.

The antique, custom, BMX bicycle and motorcycle shows will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at 109 South St. with awards and trophies at 3 p.m. in several classes. Contact Lee at (607) 644-0638 to enter.

The professional performance teams of Dialed Action Sports (DAS) will be featured at two free BMX bike shows Aug. 28 on Main Street near the C.R. Pavilion.

DAS represents some of the brightest stars of cycling sports, and its bike stunt shows are the nation’s leading provider of action sports performances and educational school assemblies.

These athletes are pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a bike and have a passion for sharing their love of cycling across the country and promote anti-bullying.

The Grand Parade, organized and run by the Groton Fire Department, will step off at 6 p.m. Aug. 28 from Route 222 and will progress left onto Main Street, then right onto West South Street, concluding in front of Center Village Court. Lee Shurtleff, lshurtleff39@gmail.com, may be contacted to add your entry to the parade lineup.

Parade favorite The Pittsford Marching Band will be with us again and will perform an additional concert Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at the fire hall.

Visit grotonoldehomedays.com, as more activities are added almost daily and don’t miss this wonderful Groton tradition!

Groton on the Inside appears weekly. Submit news ideas to Linda Competillo, lmc10@cornell.edu or (607) 227-4922. 

In brief: 
 
GOHD at the library 

The Groton Public Library, 112 E. Cortland St., invites the public to visit and see its new renovations and expansion during Groton Olde Home Days. It will also feature summer reading activities Aug. 26 and 27 from noon to 8 p.m. and Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the festival.

Jack Miller turns 90 

Jack Miller of McLean, who was a former Tompkins County Fire Coordinator for 30 years, will celebrate his 90th birthday Aug. 25. His family is hosting a celebration at the McLean Fire Station Aug. 21 from 3 to 7 p.m. His wife, Marietta, and family invite anyone who would like to stop by to wish Jack a happy birthday to do so.

Pool closing soon 

The Groton Memorial Park swimming pool will close for the season Aug. 22. To get your last swim in, open swim is from 1 to 5 p.m. daily, lap swim only from noon to 1 p.m.

The pool is open to Groton residents and guests only. Member registration is required and can be completed on site. Registered users from 2020 are still registered for 2021. All current COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.