Norwood Day is Saturday, Sept. 10!

by Bella Caggiano

It’s the most wonderful day of the year for Norwood residents. It is the day residents come together to learn, play, eat, and applaud all this unique town has to offer. It’s NORWOOD DAY, and it’s a block party like no other!

This annual celebration brings businesses, organizations, and residents together to share information, goods, and services, but just as importantly, celebrate and commend this wonderful town. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with vehicle traffic closed to accommodate the thousands of residents and visitors.

It’s a great scene to take in as downtown Norwood and the Town Common are transformed into a community festival. The streets are filled with people enjoying live entertainment, games, kiddie rides, crafters, food bites from local restaurants, sidewalk sales, and tables and booths of businesses and non-profit groups, and town department displays. A new addition this year will be a food tasting/beer tasting area! Vendors will include One Bistro, Castle Island, OCC, Lewis’s, and Mustangs. It will open at 12 p.m., and you will need to be 21+ to enter. As high demand is anticipated, it will remain open while supply lasts.

The 19th Annual Norwood Day actually launches the evening before, Friday, September 9, with a fireworks display at the Coakley Middle School. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the school field will be bustling with games the entire family will enjoy, including roaming railroads, inflatables, a DJ, and youth football/cheer will be selling food. As darkness approaches, the Norwood skies will light up with fireworks (again generously donated by David Spiegel) as a fitting prequel to the next day’s celebration. 

On Saturday, September 10, at 10:30 a.m., a parade kicks off the spectacular main event, beginning at the Morrill Memorial Library with the Norwood High School (NHS) marching bands and fall sports teams proudly strutting their school colors and entertaining spectators. The parade concludes at the town gazebo where the NHS Spirit Club will award the Ann Lydon Volunteer of the Year Award to Eileen Hickey. The prestigious Award recognizes and honors a Norwood resident who has gone above and beyond to help the local community. 

Immediately after the parade, the spectacular street carnival begins with booths of local retail merchants, community organizations, crafters, food vendors, and much, much more. A stage at the Washington/Walpole Sts. intersection outside Conrad’s will stand as a periphery anchor with local bands and dance groups performing throughout the day, while the far end of Washington St. and the town gazebo lawn will serve as the second anchor with amusement rides and more vendors lined throughout the Town Common.  

The entire communal party will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for a great bargain of only $3 for a Norwood Day button ($5 the day of the event), entrance and participation is free to almost all events. Buttons can be purchased from any committee member or at the Civic Center, on Nahatan St., or from volunteers the day of the event. This year’s button will theme Norwood’s 150th Anniversary.

Norwood Day buttons will provide access to most of the games and rides, including, pony rides, rock climbing wall, amusement rides, Big Daddy’s Racing, and so much more!

According to Norwood Recreation Director Travis Farley, Norwood Day still remains completely sell sufficient. All expenditures are satisfied by corporation donations, sponsorships, and Norwood Day buttons. To help keep costs down, however, and in full demonstration of a town that pulls together, Norwood High School sports teams do their part to contribute to the day’s success assisting vendors with set up and break downs.

Local business sponsors contribute greatly financially to make these combined events a success and also deserve recognition and future patronage from Norwood residents.

Norwood Day would also not be possible without the countless volunteers who donate their time for months planning the event and throughout the day giving directions, selling buttons, and ensuring a smooth schedule for all. 

Help is still needed and is welcome for any time frame; even an hour will allow another volunteer to experience the occasion. For more information to lend a hand, call the Civic Center at 781-762-0466.

Norwood Day attracts approximately 13,000-15,000 visitors from in around Norwood, and the fireworks on Friday night drawing 6,000-8,000 people. Many are from Norwood, but word has gotten out about the grand festival and residents from surrounding communities cannot resist supporting Norwood and joining in on the fun! Norwood Day has become a valuable opportunity for local organizations and merchants to meet their neighbors and celebrate the spirit of the town’s communal and philanthropic ideas and values. Buy a button and join in the fun and celebrations!

Event Calendar

Friday September 9, Coakley Middle School

6:30-8 p.m. Family games and entertainment

8 p.m. Spectacular Fireworks Display

Saturday, September 10, Downtown Norwood

10:30 a.m.

Norwood Day Parade begins at Morrill Memorial Library and runs through downtown to gazebo

10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Norwood Day Celebrations in downtown Norwood