The 28th Annual Southbury Celebration featuring food, fun, music, and fireworks will be on Saturday, September 26th from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at beautiful Lake Stibbs at the Southbury Training School on Route 172 in Southbury. The community event is co-sponsored by the Town of Southbury and the Southbury Training School. The annual event attracts approximately 4-5,000 people and is free and open to the entire community.
“The Southbury Celebration Committee encourages everyone to celebrate our town and arrive early to enjoy the great live music, food, fellowship and fireworks and to be an active part of our 28st annual, multi-generational community event,” declared chairperson Brian M. Jones.
This year’s Food Court has 14 food vendors including 10 commercial food trucks along with several community groups offering a large variety of options including hot lobster rolls, scallop rolls, fish & chips, fried shrimp, clam strips, crab bites, New England clam chowder, pasta, meatballs, sausage and peppers, fried dough, beignets, curly fries, chicken tenders, Mexican corn, hot dogs, fruit snacks and popcorn. Plus desserts and beverage options with 3' pies, cider donuts, apple fritters, cookies, cannoli’s, pre-packaged ice-cream, soft serve, soda floats, soda, water, specialty lattes & coffee, juice boxes and fruit slushes. The Food Court will open earlier this year at 4:00 pm and will continue until 9.
Vice-chair Steve Schenll recommends people arrive early for best food selections and shorter lines and to bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
Expanded kids’ activities from 4:30 – 6pm include Gene the Magician, Funny Faces by Kimmy (face painting), Bring the Hoopla (play sessions with hula hoops) and free glow sticks.
In collaboration with Southbury America 250th Commission and Town Historian John Dwyer a local history will be on display with Southbury Historical Tidbits, America 250 souvenirs and information.
People are encouraged to attend early to hear the music, visit with friends, enjoy the food selections / food trucks, or enjoy their own picnic dinner and ultimately watch a spectacular firework show.
Jim Tornatore will be the Master of Ceremonies. The musical schedule begins at 4:00pm with Powerstation Events DJ, then at 5pm eight-year old Anishka Mittal will take the audience on a musical journey through dreams and courage. Dan Sawyer, a Southbury singer/songwriter, voted best Connecticut solo musician in 2025 performs next, followed by singer songwriter, Sean O’Reilly at 5:40.
Next up Michael Carrington, Southbury resident singer/guitarist/troubadour and performs followed by Carmen Olivia and the Underground, singer/songwriter/artist featured on American Idol Season 22 hits the stage at around 6:30pm.
Good Medicine Rx - a Southbury acoustic duo, Michel Driscoll and Jeff Duggan specializing in songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s starts around 7pm. Closing out the live music performances around 7:35, Tor Hyams & Lisa St. Lou - recording artists, songwriters, producers, and performers whose work spans soul, pop, rock, jazz, and musical theater.
Music and entertainment will continue until the National Anthem performance at around 8:10 pm immediately before the spectacular fireworks presentation by Pyrotechnico.
Sunday, September 27th is the rain date with the same schedule of activities. In case of inclement weather or for more information, please call the Southbury Parks & Recreation Department Info-line at 203-262-0633 for an official announcement or visit the Town of Southbury’s web site at www.southbury-ct.org/sbycelebration for up to date information.
No alcohol and no pets are permitted at the event. Caution should be exercised with service animals due to the large crowds and fireworks noises. Extensive free parking is on the STS Great Front Lawn. Handicapped Parking (by permit only) will be in a designated area as close as possible to the Rte. 172 crosswalk. (The Lake Stibbs parking lot will not be used due to storm-related damage.)
The “Drop-off/Pick-up” area is in the parking lot behind the Gatehouse cottage at the main Southbury Training School entrance. Due to congested event traffic and safety concerns, there will be no pedestrian walking, no vehicle parking and no parent “drop off/pick up” along Route 172.
Southbury Celebration 2026 committee members are Meghan Lennon (secretary), James Clark, First Selectman Tim O’Neil, Steve Schnell (vice-chair) and Brian M. Jones (chair)
For event's updates, are posted on the town website.