Recently, the village of East Barnard held its Fun Day, an annual event that features a chicken BBQ, classic kids’ games, and abundant community spirit. Although the first year it took place is unclear, Fran Carbino, the president of the Broad Brook Volunteer Fire Association Board of Trustees, is certain that it was after he settled in the village in 1980.
“Robin [Seaver] came to us with an idea to have a fun day in East Barnard. It would bring in money to support us and to give back to the community,” Carbino recalls. “We’d had chicken BBQs, but this put it all together.”
Since that humble start, Fun Day has become a delightful example of the best aspects of rural Vermont living. The festivities kick off with a parade that starts at the intersection of East Barnard Road and Walker Hill Road and proceeds into the center of town.
While children play on the swingset and neighbors gather to chat outside the Community Hall, a team of volunteers happily prepares a meal that includes BBQ chicken, hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, and watermelon.
After the food has been cleaned up, the games commence. Games such as climbing the “greased” pole, sack race, three-legged race, tug of war, and egg toss date back over a century and require no technology. Children from ages five to 15, and sometimes older, can join in, and prizes are handed out to all.
Above, Rye Leavitt (left), of Barnard, approaches the finish line during the second round of the sack race. Robert Shumskis Photo
