Greetings all,

Please forgive the length of this post as we are attempting to express our gratitude to all of those who helped ensure a successful event. I know I will miss someone and for that I am eternally regretful. I will make every effort to correct as soon as I become aware of any omissions. In the days ahead we should have a complete tally of the proceeds to be donated and will provide a final update related to this year’s FEAST & FIRE.

On behalf of the REAS Foundation, the Merchants of Sturbridge, and the Town of Sturbridge, I would like to extend our gratitude for the overwhelming support we witnessed at our first Independence Day celebration. With over 2000 attendees, 74 parade vehicles, 152 marching individuals, and some great entertainment, the day was truly a success; that of course due to the support of those who attended and participated.

As it was our first event, we are cognizant of the fact that though there were many strengths in our planning and execution, we recognize that there were shortcomings as well. Both will be addressed in our upcoming planning sessions as we will be meeting in two weeks to begin the process of planning next year’s event. To that end we welcome any feedback from those who attended, which can be provided at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/768NHNR.

We have already received some great suggestions from attendees and parade/booth participants alike and are working to incorporate them into our event for next year. Rest assured, we take every suggestion seriously as we view this as your event and we want to ensure that we produce a product that you can be proud of. Next year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, July 2nd, and we hope that you will mark your calendars now so that we might share in the honor of your attendance.

In terms of photos or video, we were so committed to providing a high level of service that we were simply unable to produce any photos or video footage of the event but you can find a short story and some pictures on the Narragansett website. http://www.narragansettbeer.com/2010/07/weekend-recap-feast-fire-parade-in-sturbridge-ma.

Personally, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to the following individuals who worked feverishly over the past 3 months to produce this event:

• Maryann Thorpe - Chief Marketing Officer, REAS Foundation
• Leslie Wong - REAS Foundation
• Jennifer Lundwall - Chief Administration Officer, REAS Foundation
• Jasmine Bell - Sadie Green’s, Merchants of Sturbridge
• Jeannine Creamer - Sturbridge Resident
• Mike Thorpe - REAS Foundation
• Linda Cocalis - REAS Foundation Chairman of the Board
• Chris Rovezzi - Rovezzi’s Ristorante, Merchants of Sturbridge
• Mike Harrington - Publick House, REAS Foundation
• Lenny Petrillo - Annie’s Country Kitchen, Merchants of Sturbridge
• Joe Wong - Executive Chef, Sole Proprietor Worcester
• Pia Rogers - Sturbridge Coffee House, Merchants of Sturbridge
• Lisa Kosinski - Park Place Salon, Merchants of Sturbridge
• Craig Moran - Sturbridge Service Center, REAS Foundation
• Karin Rokicki - Sturbridge Resident
• Patti Affenito - Sturbridge Country Inn, Merchants of Sturbridge
• Jeff Tasse - REAS Foundation
• Rich Paradise - REAS Foundation
• Annie & Steve Chojnicki - Solely responsible for the participation of the Narragansett Promotional Team
• Denise LaChapelle - REAS Foundation
• James Rokicki - REAS Foundation
• Brian Treitman - BT’s Smokehouse - Provided the Pork Ribs at wholesale cost
• Piccadilly Pub - Donated the Corn on the Cob

A very special note of thanks to Mike Harrington (Publick House), Chris Rovezzi (Rovezzi’s Ristorante) and Lenny Petrillo (Annie’s Country Kitchen); who donated all of the food (chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, roles, potato salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, Italian sausage, desserts) and support at absolutely no cost as a way of giving back to the community for the support tendered them throughout the year by your patronage. Please consider offering your thanks the next time you stop in to enjoy a meal with them.

As well we are grateful for the outstanding support provided by the Sturbridge Police Department, whose service and support prior to and during the event were vital to a safe, smooth, and enjoyable experience. Chief Ford and his personnel are to be commended for their outstanding service to our community.

We recognize as well the assistance and support of the Sturbridge Fire Department under the leadership of Chief Lenny Senecal. Their assistance and support with logistics and event participation were a key component of the days activities and success. They proudly and professionally represented the Town of Sturbridge.

So too, we are indebted to Tom Chamberland for his tireless efforts in producing a spectacular, safe, and memorable Bonfire that capped the day’s celebration. It is not lost on the Event Planning Committee, the great deal of advance planning necessary to produce such an element, nor the amount of work required to make it a success. Tom did an outstanding job in producing, managing, and ultimately extinguishing the Bonfire.

Equally, we thank Phil Cambo of Northern Tree for supplying the equipment and wood necessary for the Bonfire. Phil is an extremely generous individual who consistently provides volunteer support and services to our community with little fanfare. He is an integral component behind the scenes of many successful endeavors within our community.

Finally, the Event Planning Committee would like to extend its sincere thanks to the following whose participation made the event a success:

Our Grand Marshals

• Lt. Governor Tim Murray
• Senator Steve Brewer
• Representative Todd Smola
• Sturbridge Selectman & Chairman of the Board - Ted Goodwin and his daughter Rita
• Sturbridge Town Administrator Shaun Suhoski and his sons
• Sturbridge Selectwoman Mary Blanchard
• Tantasqua School Committee Chairwoman Kathy Neal
• Brimfield Selectmen Steve Fleshman and Tom Marino
• Southbridge Town Councilor Rich Logan
• Wales Selectman Mike Valanzola
• Holland Selectman Mike Kennedy

Our Parade Components

• Ron Guerard and the Harley Owners Group (HOG) Chapter 2148 - Motorcycle Strike Force
• The Fabrycki Brothers - Bagpipes
• Old Sturbridge Village - Costumed personnel provided by Jim Donahue
• Derek Heidemann and The Oxford Light Infantry - Grand Marshal Excort and Ceremonial Musket Firing
• Town of Wales Police Chief Dawn Charette
• Rip Pellaton - Town Crier
• George Berry, Sturbridge Resident who supported the parade with 5 Vintage Vehicles
• David Simpson - Sturbridge resident who supported the parade with a Vintage vehicle
• Cpl. Forcier - Holland Police Department
• Narragansett Brewing Company
• Congressional Candidate Jay Fleitmen - 2 Vintage Vehicles
• Paul Loranger - Sturbridge Resident who supported the parade with a Vintage Vehicle
• Chris Damon - Hyland Orchards who supported the parade with a Tractor Hayride
• Buddy Soper - Sturbridge Resident who supported the parade with a Tractor Hayride
• Bill and Nancy Cormier - The Bird Store and More, who supported the Parade with a Tractor Hayride
• Jim Leaming and the staff at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park for securing the participation of Yogi Bear himself.
• Jim Allard and the staff from Clowing for Kidz
• Peggy and Kate from Children’s Crossing for their incredible float
• The Tantasqua Regional High School Cheerleaders
• Dan Matte of M&M Cleaning
• Linda and Clay Cocalis for providing our Parade Escort Miss Piggy Sue
• Steve MacGregor and the staff at McCoy’s Action Karate
• Craig Moran for the incredible support with providing military vehicles as well as shuttling equipment to and from the parade.
• Donald Gorczynski Manager of Old Navy in Sturbridge, and his staff.
• Chuck St.Pierre for supplying a vintage fire truck
• Brimfield Fire Chief John Sherris for providing two fire trucks
• Holland Fire Chief John Couzins for providing a fire truck
• Charlton Fire Chief Charles Cloutier for providing a fire truck
• Wales Fire Department for providing a fire truck
• Livestock - the Bluegrass Band
• The Sturbridge Boy Scouts
• Gordie Holstrom for providing a vintage fire truck
• Ralph Harris for providing a vintage fire truck
• Sturbridge MOM’s Club and for providing their great parade float
• Erin Perrault and the Sturbridge Cub Scouts
• Brimfield Selectman Steve Fleshman and the AU 13 Girls Basketball Team for their great float
• Karen and her husband from Charlton, MA who provided a 1973 Javelin
• Brian Yacino for his efforts in securing participation from members of his Vintage Auto Club

Our Entertainment Components

• Samantha Stagis - Sturbridge TRHS Graduate who sang the National Anthem
• Emma Thorpe - Sturbridge Resident and TRHS Freshman who sang “Proud to be an American”
• Teri Gordon and the Mass Motion Dance Troupe
• Livestock Bluegrass Band
• Hayloft Steppers Square Dance Club
• Dan Lafleure - Acoustics Band
• Tammy Casavant - Vocalist
• Jabooda - Rock, Reggae Band
• McCoy’s Action Karate
• Bill Ryan Jr. for providing outstanding technical assistance and direction with our sound needs
• Brian Kearsley our evening DJ
• Dennis McCurdy for the amazing Firewalk
• RRI who provided the widely popular Bounce House
• Sturbridge Recreation Committee for providing games and logistical support
• Aerial Adventures for providing the Hot Air Balloon
• Doug Quigley and the Sturbridge Militia
• The Sturbridge Fire Department for providing the Extrication Demonstration

A Special Thanks to our Support Components

• John Degnan - Sturbridge Resident and Board of Health Member who assisted with Parade Staging and Event Management, while also providing communications and safety equipment
• Marita Tasse for her day long support and assistance during the event
• Autumn and Sylvia Wong, Savvy Lundwall, Meak Parkman, and the incredible group of youth volunteers they gathered (Jessica Bodish, Jeremy Allen, Erin Henn, Maddie Creamer, Amanda Sosik, Trey Allen, and Narrisa Trembley) who provided invaluable support throughout the day and evening of FEAST & FIRE. The assistance of these youth volunteers was critical to our success and we are most grateful to all.
• The Sturbridge Library for providing a staging area for equipment
• Waste Management for contributing the trash receptacles
• The Burgess PTO for providing logistical support
• McGrath Insurance Agency for providing their site for Post Parade Staging

We also extend our gratitude to our event sponsors:

• Annie’s Country Kitchen
• BT’s Smokehouse
• Curves
• Dennis McCurdy and the McCurdy Group
• Jellystone Park
• John Argitis Jr.
• Hometown Bank
• Merchants of Sturbridge
• M&M Cleaning
• Narragansett Brewing Co.
• Old Sturbridge Village
• Park Place Salon
• Pioneer Oil
• Publick House Historic Inn
• REAS Foundation Inc.
• Rovezzi’s Ristorante
• Sadie Green’s
• Sturbridge Coffee House
• Southbridge Savings Bank
• Sturbridge Service Center
• Sturbridge Times Magazine
• Tasse Fuel Corp
• Yankee Spirits
• Piccadilly Pub

We also extend our thanks to the non-profit organizations who participated in this non-profit event:

• Sturbridge Nursery Co-op
• Sturbridge Advanced Learning
• Caitlin Raymond International Registry
• Sturbridge Worship Center
• AU 13 Basketball Team
• Relay For Life
• Center for Hope
• Boy Scouts
• Residents for Alternatives to Trash Solutions (R.A.T.S.)
• American Legion Baseball
• Sturbridge Girls Softball
• Friends of Sturbridge Seniors
• RainBowKidsTieDye
• CactusCliff
• TED Foundation
• Tantasqua Music Association (TMA)
• Desai Temporary Tattoo

As I stated earlier, I am confident that I have neglected to address all of those whose support was crucial to this event and for that I offer my apologies and stand ready to correct any omissions.

That said, all of us extend our gratitude to those of you who attended and made this event the memorable experience it was for all.