The 27th Annual Southbury Celebration featuring live music, food, community fellowship and fireworks will be at beautiful Lake Stibbs at the Southbury Training School on Route 172 in Southbury on Saturday, September 6th from 4:30pm to 9pm. The free community event is co-sponsored by the Town of Southbury and the Southbury Training School and open to the entire community. The rain date is Sunday, September 7th.
“We live in a wonderful town, and we want to use this event to showcase and celebrate the positive elements of our great community and its traditions… that is why the program is named The Southbury Celebration!” declared chair Brian M Jones.
“People are encouraged to join in the festivities to hear the music, visit with friends, enjoy the delicious food, and ultimately watch a spectacular firework show,” explained First Selectman Jeff Manville. The event annually draws 4,000 - 5,000 people and the community is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets, friends and family.
Kids’ activities from 5 to 7pm include free face painting by the Southbury Lions Leos club along with performances by Neato the Magician.
The Food Court will open at 4:30 pm and will serve until 9pm. The Food Court has numerous food trucks and anticipates 14 food vendors providing diverse food options including: Hot Lobster Rolls, Scallop Rolls, Fish & Chips, Fried Shrimp, Clam Strips, Crab Bites, New England Clam Chowder; Authentic Spanish Food: Empanadas, Shish Kabobs, Rice, Beans, Oven-Roasted Pork; Fried Dough (sweet and savory), Beignets, Curly Fries, Chicken Tenders, Mexican Corn, Hot Dogs, Fruit Slush; Tacos, Burritos, Nachos, Roasted Corn, Roasted Potatoes; Kettle Corn, Freshly Popped Popcorn, Hot Soft Pretzels, Cotton Candy, Pies, Cider Donuts, Apple Fritters, Coffee Cakes; Ice Cream, Sundaes, Waffle Bowl Sundaes, Floats, Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, Cider, Lemonade, Italian Soda, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Sodas with a Garnish. Food offerings are subject to change.
“Many of the popular food trucks have long lines after 5:30, so arrive early, avoid the wait and enjoy more of the Celebration,” encouraged vice-chair Steve Schnell.
Jim Tornatore, Southbury Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and artistic director of the Newbury Musical Theater Company based in Southbury will be the Master of Ceremonies. A PowerStation DJ will kick off the event at 4:30. Southbury Guitarist Michael Carrington with a six string in his hand and a song in heart hits the stage around 5:35. Followed by The Acoustic Tones at 6pm with Chris Ferguson and Bob Benjamin bringing cover songs and original music to life on acoustic guitars spanning Classic Rock, Country, and 80s and 90s music, blending nostalgic hits with fresh, heartfelt originals.
Good Medicine Rx performs at 6:30, starring Michel Driscoll and Jeff Duggan offering music from the 60s and 70s that you’ll want to sing along with or get up and dance!
Middlebury singer-songwriter Ethan Fiske fronts the feel-good pop ticket Ethan Fiske and the Big Love Band (www.ethanfiske.com) featuring Elijah Atkins (drums), Aidhan Roque (electric guitar), and Ethan "Dupey" Dupont (bass). The band creates a high-spirited and inclusive environment drawing inspiration from past decades’ contributions to the evolution of pop with influences ranging from 1960s Motown to 2010s Electro-Pop.
DJ, sound, stage and lighting will be provided by Cheshire based PowerStation Events (www.powerstationevents.com). Music and entertainment will continue up until the National Anthem performance around 8:15 pm. Immediately followed by a “crowd count-down” to launch the fireworks extravaganza.
With the theme of “celebrating and giving back to the community”, the Southbury Food Bank will have food bank collection bins conveniently located by the Great Lawn crosswalk. Please visit the Southbury Food Bank web site to learn of the “critical need items” at www.southburyfoodbank.org/critical-needs.
Pyrotechnico (www.pyrotecnico.com) will again be launching the fireworks over the Lake Stibbs waterfront. Pyrotechnico is a leading fireworks company producing over 3,600 fireworks shows nationwide per year, including every Super Bowl since 2020.
Sunday, September 7th is the rain date with the same schedule of activities. In case of inclement weather or for more information, please visit the Town of Southbury’s web site at www.southbury-ct.org/sbycelebration.
No alcohol and no pets are permitted at the event. Caution should be exercised with service animals due to audience and fireworks noises. Extensive free parking is on the STS Great Front Lawn. Handicapped parking will also be on the STS Great Lawn in a designated area convenient to the field. Due to congested event traffic and safety concerns, there will be no pedestrian walking and no vehicle parking along Route 172.
Southbury Celebration 2025 committee members are Meghan Lennon (secretary), James Clark, First Selectman Jeff Manville, Steve Schnell (vice-chair) and Brian M. Jones (chair).