Black Rock Day Returning June 6

BRIDGEPORT — A Black Rock tradition continues Sunday, June 6, with the 29th annual Black Rock Day, featuring a popular road race, festive parade, and daylong family picnic in the historic seaside neighborhood.

“Black Rock Day is a great tradition that brings the neighborhood together and is also very popular with people from across the area. At the same time it’s like a big reunion for people who grew up or used to live here. They can catch up with old friends and make new ones,” said Bob Fredericks, president of the Black Rock Community Council.

Black Rock Day begins at 9 am with the 22nd annual Run for the Rock, a 5K race that takes stalwart runners in a picturesque loop that includes the St Mary’s By the Sea promenade. There are water stops, professional timers, and trophies for the winners and all runners get a free T-shirt and refreshments.

Registration is $13, $15 on race day. Applications are available in many neighborhood shops or by calling Ed Piquette at 203-333-3033. Race day registration runs from 8 to 8:55 am at Ellsworth Field, corner of Brewster and Ellsworth streets.

The fun continues at noon with the annual Black Rock Day Parade, including local bands, drum and bugle corps and marching units, floats, and a host of dignitaries from the neighborhood and beyond. The parade steps off from Burroughs Community Center, at the corner of Ellsworth Street and Fairfield Avenue, and winds through neighborhood streets, ending at Ellsworth Field.

Some of the top-notch corps from the parade will then continue to play and DJ Jim Dunn will spin tunes all day at the Black Rock Neighborhood Picnic, which runs from noon to 6 pm on Ellsworth Field. There will be hot dogs and burgers fresh from the grill, beer and soda, Italian ices, and other treats, and booths with Black Rock hats, T-shirts and gear, and information on the Fayerweather Lighthouse restoration effort.

A host of games and fun, including a pie-eating contest, face-painting, children’s crafts, and a giant Twister game, await the young and young at heart. Admission is $2 for adults and children under 12 are admitted free.

For more information or to volunteer, call Bob Fredericks at 203-521-2999.