Wake Up The Green
What is the “Wake Up the Green” Spring Festival??
After several years of Covid-related hiatus, The Committee of the Proprietors of the Common and Undivided Lands in New Haven will be celebrating Wake Up the Green Spring Festival on Saturday, May 6 from 10-4PM on the New Haven Green.
The event will mark the start of spring and encourage the citizens of New Haven to get out and enjoy our beautiful city and the New Haven Green.
There are two historically relevant events that will take place. The first is the celebration and reenactment of Powder House Day, which takes place at 10:30 AM. To learn more about Powder House Day, visit: https://connecticuthistory.org/benedict-arnold-demands-the-key-today-in-history/
The second historic event will be the rededication of the World War I Monument and Flagpole. The rededication after nearly a year of renovations will take place at 12:30PM at which time the American flag will be raised.
Historic Activites
There are two historically relevant events that will take place.
The first is the celebration and reenactment of Powder House Day. On April 22, 1775, Benedict Arnold demanded the key to New Haven’s powder house. To reenact this event, representatives of the Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard walk across the Green, meet the Mayor, and retrieve the Powder House Key. The representatives return to the Green and rejoin the regiment marching to a designated portion of the Green for a battalion review. Muskets will be fired. This takes place at 10:30 AM.
To learn more about Powder House Day, visit: https://connecticuthistory.org/benedict-arnold-demands-the-key-today-in-history/
The second historic event will be the rededication of the World War I Monument and Flagpole. The monument, honoring the 200 soldiers from New Haven who died in WWI, was originally dedicated in May 1929. Over time, the stone and bronze elements have undergone significant weathering, staining and deterioration. The scope of the restoration, which took nearly one year, included cleaning all the marble and bronze, removal of granite staining, replacement of missing stone, recoating of surfaces with appropriate materials, stripping and refinishing the flagpole and revealing the bronze wreath and fluted collar at the base of the pole. The restoration process was guided by Francis Miller, Principal, Conserve Art LLC. The rededication takes place at 12:30PM at which time the American flag will be raised.
Dignitaries, including members of the City of New Haven Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC), members of the 102nd Association will be included. Governor Lamont, Congresswoman Rosa Delauro, Senators Christ Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, Mayor Justin Elicker as well as many others have been invited.
Events of the Day
10:00 AM
Yoga on the Green
10:30 AM
Powder House Day - Musket Firing
11:00 AM
Food Trucks Open
Market Place open – plants, art, books, beauty products
Community Tables – Garden Club, Library
12:30 PM
World War I Monument Dedication
Hillhouse Band and a “March Around the Green” to Wake Up the Green
1:00 PM
Swords to Plowshares
City Bench
Lady Blaze Stilt walker
Moana reads in NHFPL’s tent
Giant games sponsored by TGSSD
Mini Golf
Giant Candy Land and Lego
Activity Bus sponsored by NH Recreation
Volleyball pickup game
Music, Music, Music
Church programs, Trinity, United Church, Center Church
Starting at 1:15, there will be multiple tours of the Crypt tour at the Center Church
4:00 PM
Close of Program
For Immediate Release – Contact: Jillian Wood - 860-402-1554 - jillian@graffwood.com
Sponsored by:
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Second Company Governor’s Foot Guard
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New Haven Free Public Library
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New Haven Garden Club
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Trinity on the Green
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Center Church on the Green
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New Haven Youth and Recreation
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Committee of the Proprietors of the Common and Undivided Lands in New Haven