Chamber merger results in expanded event
The town of Granby’s signature event, Celebrate Granby in the Park, returns in September in a big way after a two-year absence. The expanded event will take place Sept. 22–24 with a new name—Celebrate the Valley—and new logo, a consequence of the merger of the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce. Salmon Brook Park will again be the site of this Business Expo featuring carnival rides, restaurants, craft booths, a car show, a beer and wine garden, live music from the park’s bandshell and fireworks on Saturday night as the event’s grand finale. New this year will be a Health Expo and a Senior night on Thursday featuring music, dancing, food and carnival fun.
The Health Expo, a popular event in Simsbury over the years, will now be part of Celebrate the Valley featuring local businesses from the health and wellness industry. A wide array of vendors will answer questions and educate the community on topics from mental health to physical fitness, massage, healthy eating and more, with free samples, raffle giveaways and demonstrations.
Celebrate the Valley was started by the Granby Chamber of Commerce in the 1990s to promote its member businesses to town residents with booths along Merchant’s Way. Local restaurants soon joined the event, which expanded and moved to Salmon Brook Park when carnival rides were added in 2003. This year’s business expo will include booths from many of the combined Chamber’s 450 plus members, many of them first time attendees. Discuss projects for your home with local experts, consult with financial planners, plan your vacation, or just come to meet your neighbors.
The region’s restaurants and food trucks will showcase their specialties from tacos to pulled pork to fried dough, along with some healthier options. Come and meet local artisans displaying their crafts and paintings. Sample the region’s craft brews and wines. Enjoy classic cars and fire department vehicles. And bring the family for carnival rides from bounce houses to tilt-a-whirls to a signature Ferris wheel.
Sponsorships are available for this two-town event by contacting Celebrate chairperson Sally Rider at 860-413-9067 or sally@riderevents.com Further information can be found on the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce site: simsburycoc.org or contact Chamber Director Morgan Hilyard at 860-651-7307.