Celebrate The Rooster, Saturday Along Main Street

Saturday, June 18 will be a big Tercentennial Day on Main Street as Newtowners and people who love Newtown have the opportunity to celebrate, honor, enjoy, showcase and/or display versions of the town’s famous symbol: The Rooster.

According to Chinese tradition – and something that has not escaped notice of members of The Tercentennial Commission – 2005 is the Year of the Rooster. It is, says Rooster Rally co-coordinator Mae Schmidle, a propitious time for Newtown and is especially characteristic of the wooden rooster to work for the betterment of society, working diligently to change the evils within it.

“With the sound of the rooster, the whole world becomes bright and darkness goes away – the rooster makes everyone happy, bringing peace, success and a good future for the whole world,” added Mrs Schmidle, who also pointed out that 300 years ago, in 1705 when Newtown was founded, it was also a Chinese Year of the Rooster.

Main Street from Soldiers & Sailors Monument to the flagpole at Newtown Meeting House will be festooned with rooster paraphernalia from renditions of the rooster weathervane on top of the meeting house steeple to others in the form of pins, plates, paintings, drawings, decorated ceramics, and more.

“This will be the day for Newtowners who love roosters to do their thing,” said Mrs Schmidle, who is coordinating the event with Tom Catalina. Former police chief Michael Fekete is the event’s honorary chairman.

The Rooster Rally will take place from 11:30 am until 2 pm (June 19 will be the rain date).

Recently added to the rally roster is an en plein aire paint-out. Artists will be set up on the lawn of The Budd House, creating works for passersby to admire. Melody Asbury, David Merrill, Ruth Newquist, Ralph Schwartz and Brigette Sorensen will all be painting during the rally; others may sign on or just show up the morning of the event.

Artist Kathy Murdy has prepared some new pieces for display and sale, Newtown Friends of Music will have a table with information on the group and the concerts it sponsors, Friends In Service Here

The Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown has created a special rooster for Saturday, and the Chamber of Commerce Tercentennial Rooster will also be in evidence. Marion Thompson will display the rooster quilt made by members of Newtown Junior Woman’s Club in 1776 when the United States was celebrating its Bicentennial.

In addition to various exhibits and displays, there will also be many drawings, refreshments and tons of giveaways, assuring a great day for everyone and especially for roosters and rooster lovers, Mrs Schmidle said. Artwork by students of all ages will be displayed throughout the celebration.

At 1 pm an awards ceremony will present prizes to the winters of The Rooster Drawing Contest sponsored by The Children’s Adventure Center. Children in grades 1-5 have created the entries, which will be displayed at the town hall.

Also in front of Edmond Town Hall, Rocking Rooster Square Dance Club members will have ongoing square dance demonstrations.

Among those also committed to the Rooster Rally are the photographer Lisa Cascone, Cyrenius H. Booth Library, Flagpole Photographers, Newtown Historical Society, Newtown Parks and Recreations (with the biggest rooster in town), Newtown Savings Bank, Newtown Woman’s Club, Newtown Visiting Nurse Association, Newtown Winterset Ski Club, Nunnawauk Residents Association, The Parent Connection, Town Historian Dan Cruson, UK Gourmet, Visiting Nurse Association of Newtown, and other Newtown businesses, restaurants, individuals and families.