November-December 2025 News
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Table of Contents
MESSAGE FROM P&R DIRECTOR
Hello everyone. I hope you have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather! I love this time of year! Northern New England gets all the credit for leaf peeping, but the season’s beauty surrounds us right here in our home town. The red leaves on Main Street were so vibrant and running through Platt Park was gorgeous! I encourage you to park at our building and walk across the street down Flood Bridge Rd when you get the chance. That walk is one of Southbury’s hidden gems and great training if you’re doing the Southbury Women’s Club Turkey Trot!
Over the Summer I had this vision to watch Hocus Pocus surrounded by carved pumpkins and scarecrows on the Town Hall Green. I want to thank everyone who brought that vision to life by leaving your creations behind for us to decorate with. We couldn’t have made Town Hall look so awesome without you. Even our town hall employees joined in on the fun and it was so nice to see our co-workers have that team building experience.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween! What a treat to have it on a Friday this year.
Meghan Lennon (she/her)
Parks and Recreation Director
MLennon@southbury-ct.gov
Events - Thank You for Participating!
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FALL FESTIVAL AND OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
Big thank you to the Southbury Public Library for co-hosting our movie night to cap off an amazing week of activities. The Knights of Columbus passed out 12 gallons of cider to movie attendees to enjoy with their free snacks. Gratitude and appreciation for donations go out to Hidden Gem Orchard for apples, Shop Rite for pumpkins, and the Southbury Training School Thrift Shops for scarecrow supplies. Thank you for making our first Fall Festival possible!
Thank you to everyone who attended the various events through the week: 50 pumpkins were carved, 33 scarecrows created, and 45 goblins, ghouls, and girlies paraded around Town Hall Green to celebrate the season.
Congratulations to our contest winners: Tasha, Quinn, Richelle, and the Dilaveri family, for best pumpkin by an adult, teen, child, and family respectively. The Rochambeau Rebels took home the prize for best resident scarecrow. The best scarecrow by a town office was the Hiking Hero by Gosia in the IT department. Jayden won for Spookiest costume, Matteo for Silliest, and Anascasia and Alaia tied for sparkliest.
We appreciate the volunteers from SACA, the Women’s Club, and the Juniorettes for judging enthusiastically. Our First Selectman, Jeff, couldn’t resist the fun and joined our judging committee. Extra thanks to SACA for providing the prizes for all our winners!
Thank you to the 72 participants in our leaf guessing contest. Congratulations to Jaxson for guessing the closest to the actual number: he guessed 117 and there were 121 in the jar. Our runner up, Madelyn, guessed 126 leaves.
About a dozen participants planted local seeds with the Southbury Land Trust. From common milkweed that supports the monarch butterflies to golden alexander that supports all local pollinators, several varieties of native plants went to good homes for spring planting.
Sustainable Southbury collected almost 100 pounds of pumpkin scraps during our programs to go to local farms and all remaining pumpkins from the contest were also donated. Learn more about how you can donate your pumpkins at the end of the season at sustainablesouthbury.org.
Thank you to everyone who brought a donation for the Southbury Food bank, we collected two overflowing bins to be distributed back to the community! To see the list of critical needs, please check their website at southburyfoodbank.org.
We also gave out 55 Take-and-Make craft kits. Special Thanks to the crafters who sent in their photos! More photos on web album or on Facebook.
Siblings Lenny (12) and Lorelai (5) show off their ghosts!
Siblings Jaxson (7) and Layla (5) enjoying their creations!
Siblings Catalina (9) and Lucas (11) participated in the Take-and-Make craft as well as the pumpkin carving AND scarecrow building! Talk about an autumn to remember!
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION – December 6, 2025, 4:00-7:00pm
Join us for our annual Holiday Celebration on Saturday December 6th. Activities will start in the Parks and Recreation Building, 561 Main Street South and conclude at the Town Hall Green, 501 Main Street South.
- 4:00pm to 5:00pm: Activities inside the Parks and Recreation building will include: cookie decorating, games, and crafts. (Last entry into the building will be 4:45. Patrons who are inside the building will complete their activities by 5:00pm).
- 5:00pm to 6:00pm: Sensory Friendly activities for those who require accommodations will be held inside the Parks and Recreation building.
- 4:30pm to 7:00pm: Food will be available for purchase from Full Bloom Catering Food Truck on the Town Hall Green.
- 5:00pm to 7:00pm: Free hot cocoa, carol singing, and holiday light illumination, we may even have a visit from a jolly man in red! (While keeping an eye out for a grump in green!)
For more information go to southburyct.myrec.com.
GUESS THE NUMBER OF POMPOMS
Come to the Parks & Recreation Office for this season's guessing contest. Fill out a slip of paper with your contact information and your guess of the total number of pompoms in the jar. All ages are welcome to participate in this free contest. This contest is open from November 3 to December 18. The winner will receive one free Parks and Recreation Clubhouse program and an option for a photo to be taken and posted on the Town of Southbury's social media, plus bragging rights!
5th ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOUSE LIGHTS CONTEST - by December 14, 2025
Southbury Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce the 5th Annual Holiday House Lights Contest. Southbury families, neighborhoods, and businesses are invited to decorate their house, street, or business to spread holiday cheer for all to see. Once your house or business is decorated, please fill out our entry form at southbury-ct.org/holidaylights. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Contest categories:
- Merry & Bright (best use of lights)
- The North Pole (best North Pole design)
- Gingerbread Village (Heritage Village entries only)
- Santa’s Workshop (best use of holiday décor - local business category only)
- Winter Wonderland (best winter themed decor)
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (best use of music and technology award)
- The Holly Jolly Block (most festive neighborhood)
Thank You and Congratulations
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EAGLE SCOUT GARDEN BOX INSTALLATION
Thank you to resident Eagle Scout, Josh Lowry for installing raised planter boxes at our Community garden in Settlers Park. Josh worked diligently with our office for many weeks to ensure the boxes would be both usable and maintainable. Thank you, Josh!
The plot with both boxes is available for a community member to rent for the 2026 garden season. Anyone interested in the plot can reach out to Sara in the main office at spanaccio@southbury-ct.gov.
CONGRATULATIONS ADULT SOFTBALL WINNERS: BAD NEWS BEARDSLEY
Thank you to all of the teams who participated in our Adult Softball Summer League! The weather cooperated and players enjoyed a fun yet competitive season. Congratulations to the Bad News Beardsley team for taking home the championship!
GROW TOGETHER PLAY CLUB
At the Grow Together Play Club, unstructured time proves to be a powerful engine for development. When kids play freely, they're building essential life skills. Mixed-age environments naturally encourage social growth, teaching kids cooperation, empathy, and leadership as older children mentor younger ones. Self-directed activities sharpen problem-solving and critical thinking while boosting creativity and imagination. Crucially, it develops the independence to make decisions and learn emotional regulation in a low-stress setting. Ultimately, "just playing" is how your children learn to be resilient, confident, and successful friends.
Free for residents; $5 non-residents. Program will be held on Fridays, twice a month, 5:30pm-7:30pm.
Details, Registration and Signup for mailing list about future sessions.
LUMINARY BAG DECORATION
Stop by the Parks and Recreation building to decorate a luminary bag that will be used at our Holiday Event to light the path for all attendees. Program is free for all participants of all ages (adult supervision required): registration encouraged but not required. There are four opportunities to color a bag, we will have all supplies ready for you! Details and Registration.
NEW PROGRAM: HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP WORKSHOP
Parks and Recreation is offering a new FREE program where you bring the presents and we provide the wrapping supplies! There will be paper, scissors, tape, ribbon, and small gift tags with large tables to work on. You can wrap the gifts yourself or get help from a member of our team. If you just want help and had a specific type of paper in mind, you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Free for residents; $5 non-residents. Open to all ages but adult supervision is required. Details and Registration.
LETTERS TO SANTA - November 25 to December 11, 2025
If your child writes to Santa Claus, Santa will return a letter to your child!
Santa wrote a letter to the children and, at his request, we’ve created a template return letter for children to use - check the website for details.
Santa still welcomes handwritten letters and even pictures! Parents/Guardians are recommended to make sure that the mailing address is legible.
Santa has asked Southbury Parks and Recreation's team to collect letters starting on Tuesday, November 25 to send to Santa. In order to get them to the North Pole in time, the deadline to drop off the letters is Thursday, December 11.
Participants can drop off letters in the Southbury Parks and Recreation's drop box, right outside our office doors (before you enter the building) on 561 Main Street South.
COACH BUS TRIP TO THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES - Tuesday, December 30 (10:00am-9:00pm)
Credit: www.rockettes.com
Experience the Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes at Radio City this December with Parks and Rec! This full day includes coach bus transportation from Southbury Parks and Recreation to New York City, and your admission to the Radio City Rockettes show. (It does not include any meals). The bus will depart at 10:00am on Tuesday, December 30, and return at 9:00pm, with tickets to the 5:00pm show. The show is 90 minutes long without an intermission. You will have some time before the show to freely explore the magic of NYC during the holidays. The bus will depart at 7:00pm for our return back to CT. This trip is open to anyone, although all minors must be accompanied by an adult. Spots are limited to the first 50 registrants. NO REFUNDS will be given once your ticket is purchased. Registration opens for non-residents on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Click to register.
NEW: RETRO PLAY POP-UP PROGRAM
This program invites children to follow their joy - to tinker, build, story-tell, discover and re-imagine. Thoughtfully curated open ended materials are brought to the play space by our instructor Gina who has 17 years of experience in early childhood education and play based learning. With the use of familiar and unfamiliar treasures, participants make their learning visible through a fluid play experience with creation at the hub. This child led approach allows for greater engagement, self-advocacy and self-awareness, and builds peer to peer collaboration & connection. Class incorporates lessons in literacy with books and poems related to tinkering and building.
Program will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, 10:00am-11:00am.
Details and Registration
DECEMBER VACATION CAMP
Adventure Day Camp for children in grades K-8 features a summer camp experience during Winter Break.
Program will be held Monday, 12/29 - Wednesday, 12/31, 8:30am-3:30pm. After-camp on Monday and Tuesday is available at an additional cost.
Details and Registration
Youth Programs
- December Vacation Camp | Grades K-8 | Monday-Wednesday 12/29-12/31 | 8:30am-3:30pm | Each day: $55 Resident, $71.50 Non-resident | After camp offered 12/29 and 12/30 only 3:30pm–5:00pm | Each After Camp: $15 Resident, $19.50 Non-resident | Register by 12/8 | Details and Registration
- FREE Grow Together Play Club | Grades 4-8 | 5:30pm-7:30pm | Free for residents; $5 non-residents per session | Details and Registration
- Games Galore! | Friday, 11/7 | Register by 10/31
- Craft-a-Palooza | Friday, 11/14 | Register by 11/7
- December 5 & 19: activities and times TBD, sign up for the mailing list to get information as it becomes available.
- Half Day Adventure | GES, PES, LMES, MES Grades K-5 | Wednesday, 11/5, Thursday 11/6, & Wednesday 12/3 | 1:00pm-4:00pm | Pricing Varies | Registration open up to start of program | Details and Registration
- Retro Play Pop-Up: November Session | Ages 4-8 | Saturday, 11/8 | 10:00am-11:00am | $15 residents, $19.50 non-residents | Register by 11/3 | Details and Registration
- Tennis Lessons | 5 classes on Mondays, 11/3-12/1 | $150 resident, $195 non-resident | Registration open up to start of program | Registration and Details
- Junior Beginner/Advanced Beginner | Ages 5-7 | 6:00pm-7:00pm
- Junior Beginner/Advanced Beginner | Ages 8-11 | 7:00pm-8:00pm
All Ages
- Coach bus trip to the Radio City Rockettes | All minors must be accompanied by an adult | Tuesday, 12/30 | 10:00am-9:00am | $145 resident, $155 non-residents | Register by 12/23 | Details and Registration
- FREE Holiday Gift Wrap Workshop | All Ages | Free for residents; $5 non-residents per session | Registration open up to start of program | Details and Registration
- 11/19 | 4:30pm-5:30pm
- 11/24 | 5:30pm-6:30pm
- 12/4 | 5:00pm-6:00pm
- 12/12 | 10:30am-11:30am
- 12/19 | 12:30pm-1:30pm
- 12/22 | 5:30pm-6:30pm
- FREE Luminary Decorating | All Ages | Free for residents and non-residents | Registration open up to start of program | Details and Registration
- 11/25 | 4:00pm-4:30pm | Register by 11/24
- 12/2 | 4:00pm-4:30pm | Register by 12/1
- 12/2 | 4:30pm-5:00pm | Register by 12/1
- 12/4 | 5:00pm-5:30pm | Register by 12/2
- Painting Classes | Ages 8 & up | Sundays, 12:00pm-2:00pm | $25.00 Resident; $32.50 Non-Resident per class | Details and Registration
- Fall Landscape | 11/9 | Register by 11/3
- Winter Landscape | 12/14 | Register by 12/8
- Gingerbread House | 12/21 | Register by 12/15
- Parks & Rec Clubhouse | Details and Registration
- Dungeons & Dragons | Ages 12 & up | 4 sessions on Fridays, 11/7-11/28 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | $5 residents, $6.50 non-residents | Rolling Registration
- Gingerbread Plushie Ornament | Ages 3+ | Wednesday, 12/3 | 4:15pm-4:45pm | $3 Residents, $5 Non-residents | Register by 11/25
- Snake Hangout | Ages 3+ | Thursday, 11/6 | 4:15pm-5:15pm | $5 Residents, $6.50 Non-residents | Register by 10/30
Adult Programs
- Centergy with Meghan | Ages 18+ | 4 classes on Thursday Mornings, 12/11-1/15 (no class 12/25 & 1/1) | 9:00am-10:00am | $40 resident, $52 non-residents | Registration open until program start | Details and Registration
- Centergy: Drop-in Classes | Ages 18 + | Per class: $15.00 resident, $20 non-residents | Registration open up to start of class | Details and Registration
- Thursday Mornings with Meghan | ONGOING (no class 11/27, 12/25 & 1/1) | 9:00am-10:00am
- Monday Evenings with Alex | ONGOING | 6:00pm-7:00pm
- Zumba | Ages 18+ | 8 classes on Tuesdays, 12/2-1/20 (no class 11/4) | 9:00am-10:00am | $80 resident, $104 non-resident | Details and Registration
- Zumba: Drop-in Classes | Ages 18+ | Tuesdays mornings (no class 11/4) | ONGOING | 9:00am-10:00am | Per class: $15 resident, $20 non-resident | Registration open up to start of class | Details and Registration
REGISTER NOW FOR PROGRAMS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
To serve you better, all schedules of Southbury Parks & Recreation are subject to change. All Parks and Recreation programs are covered by the Universal Disclaimer.
Southbury Parks and Recreation would like to share these announcements from the local Youth Sports organizations. Please note that these programs are not run by the Southbury Parks and Recreation Department. All questions and comments should be sent to the organizations.
POMPERAUG YOUTH LACROSSE
POMP LAX is K-8th boys & girls travel program. The 2026 season begins Sunday March 8th to May 31st. Practices are twice a week: indoors in March, while April & May are outdoors. Games are mainly on the weekends and tournaments are only on the weekends, occurring in April & May. Winter Clinics are included registration for those interested in additional training. Registration opens November 1st K-2nd: $150, 3rd-4th $225, 5th-8th $300 Register at pomperauglacrosse.com.
Programs coming soon through Southbury Parks and Recreation: Winter swim lessons and open swim, snow sculpture contest, and free January programs. Visit our Programs Page regularly for more information.
We Would Like to Hear from You!
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Do you have a talent that you would like to share? The Southbury Parks and Recreation Department is always looking for new instructors for our classes. To submit a class for consideration, fill the online form.
Is there a class or event you would like us to offer? Please email us at mlennon@southbury-ct.gov and let us know.
If you have any other comments or suggestions, please email us at mlennon@southbury-ct.gov.