Simsbury Celebrates is a free community holiday celebration, sustained primarily through donations from local businesses and private citizens. It is traditionally held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year, we are celebrating with a variety of events, culminating with our spectacular fireworks show.
Simsbury Celebrates is based on a wonderful event that was run by the Simsbury Arts Council called "Opening Night." Opening Night was held yearly as a "Renaissance of the Arts" on the Saturday evening after Thanksgiving. This event drew large crowds and quality entertainment from all over the country. Ray Romano of "Everybody Loves Raymond" fame even graced our stage at one time! Unfortunately Opening Night grew so big that the Simsbury Arts Council decided that they did not have enough members and time to keep the event at a high level. After the 2001 Opening Night the event ended.
In 2002 the Simsbury Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department, alongside a small but dedicated group of volunteers, decided to bring the event back and renamed it "Simsbury Celebrates." The event now has more family-friendly features such as free entertainment, an earlier start to the popular fireworks show, and more street entertainment. Although the Simsbury Recreation Department sponsors the event and assists with the event production, most funds that support the event are raised through generous donations from local businesses, families and civic groups. We hope you enjoy this year's event and continue to make Simsbury Celebrates a part of your Thanksgiving traditions.