Old Lyme Celebrates 250 Years With Picnics, Pie and Volunteers

OLD LYME, CT – Hundreds of residents gathered at Town Woods Park Sunday for the America 250 Town Picnic, a community celebration that invited residents to party like it’s 1776.

Organized as part of a nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Old Lyme’s event focused on the town’s history and the volunteers who help sustain it. Families participated in sack races and other activities, local nonprofits shared their work and organizers unveiled a semiquincentennial quilt that will be displayed at Town Hall.

America 250 Chair Cheryl Poirier counted 16 volunteers who carried out tasks ranging from painting faces to spraying whipped cream on personal-sized pies at the pie-eating contest.

“This has been a volunteer event. It’s a nonpartisan event. It was the community coming together and celebrating,” Poirier said.

The chairwoman said it cost under $9,000 to pull off the once-in-a-semicentennial event. Expenses included a live band, marketing, safety controls and supplies for children’s activities.

“It’s so nice to have everyone together,” she said.

Editor’s Note: i) LymeLine was among local nonprofit organizations with a booth at the picnic. ii) This article was updated to clarify the amount spent was under $9,000.