Published in the September 23, 2019 edition.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — On the last Saturday of the summer, people of all ages made their way to the Lower Common for “Games on the Green,” an afternoon of family fun to help the First Parish Congregational Church celebrate its 375th anniversary. And with bright sunshine and temperatures in the low 80s, it was a perfect day for a celebration of “the stone church by the Lake” that has been part of Wakefield since the town’s very beginning. (In fact, next weekend, FPCC will be very much part of the town’s own 375th birthday celebration.)
“It’s a fun day,” said Sharon Covell, one of the organizers of Saturday’s “Games on the Green” on the Lower Common. She said that the church wanted to celebrate by giving something to the town that shares its birthday with the church.
“We’re 375 years old and we just wanted to have a free community day for the town,” she said.
From 12-3 p.m., hundreds of families enjoyed music, food, bouncy houses, a petting zoo, sand art, an obstacle course and family games.
From the Bandstand, musicians Mark and Erin Darling entertained the crowd, Jessica Salvucci belted out a variety of show tunes from popular musicals, and Cornerstone, FPCC’s very own praise band, lifted everyone’s spirits.
The celebration continues this coming Saturday, Sept. 28. As part of Wakefield Heritage Day, the town’s 375th birthday celebration, two tours of the historic First Parish Congregational Church building at 1 Church St. will be offered by church historian Christopher Hurren and pastor Rev. John Dale.
The tours will begin at 12 noon and 2 p.m. Reservations are required. Email wakefieldhistory@gmail.com with subject line “First Parish.” Space is limited.