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Essex Historical Society Family Picnic at the Pratt House Aug. 21

First, the bad news: Earlier this year, the Essex Historical Society (EHS) canceled its annual Strawberry Social, since it already had an outdoor summer event planned (the Yellow Label Mill Dedication Day). The good news? EHS is holding an outdoor end-of-summer event to make up for it.

Slated for Sunday, Aug. 21, the EHS Summer Members’ Picnic is a free, family-friendly event for the whole community. It’s a way to thank EHS members, and also an opportunity for anyone to come enjoy family activities, food, and live music starting at noon on the Pratt House grounds.

“It’s a great way to relax before the kids go back to school, a way for our members to interact with one another, a way to enjoy the best of summer,” said EHS Director Melissa Josefiak. “It’s a thank you picnic for our members, because we are basically run by volunteers.”

Acoustic music duo Sunny Train, consisting of Ana and Christopher Jankowski, will entertain with both live music and activities for all ages.

“They’re a husband and wife duo, they’ve performed for us in the past,” said Josefiak. “They come with hula hoops and they make giant bubbles. We had them last year for the Strawberry Social and the children loved it.”

Come hungry; both lunch and dessert will be served.

“We’ll fire up the grill and we’ll have hamburgers and hot dogs and some veggie offerings,” Josefiak said. “The dessert is an ice cream truck that will arrive on site.”

Although the picnic is a first for EHS, it’s part of their continuing mission to engage and inspire the community.

“We’re always about connecting to the community,” said Josefiak. “It’s an opportunity for people to see the beautiful Pratt House; we are on a wonderful piece of property in Essex. People can come and enjoy the beautiful grounds. It’s a way to appeal to a family-friendly audience, a younger audience.”

Best of all?

“Believe it or not, it’s free,” Josefiak said.

Even in poor weather, the show will go on. Hula hoops, live music, giant bubbles, and picnickers will move inside the barn at the Pratt House in the event of rain. Visitors are also invited to tour the historic 1732 home and—in good weather—will want to check out the impressive Pratt House gardens as well.

The Essex Historical Society Summer Members’ Picnic is on Sunday, Aug. 21 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Pratt House, 19 West Avenue, Essex. The event is free. For more information, call 860-767-0681 or visit www.essexhistory.org.