Weekend events offer more than a slice of life

WINSTED — If there is an ideal weekend to learn about Winsted, this one, May 16 and 17, may be close to it, as a series of pre-summer activities will celebrate the town’s history, volunteers, children — and even its pets.

On Saturday, May 16, three big events are happening in town, including the 73rd annual Rotary Pet Parade, one of the town’s great seasonal attractions. The parade is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. on Meadow Street, with people and pets traveling east on Main Street to East End Park, where an awards ceremony immediately follows the parade.

This year’s grand parade marshall is John Dwan, owner of the Winsted Super Saver/IGA supermarket. Town officials and members of the Winsted Rotary Club will ride in the parade, while children and families march with dogs, cats, horses and — well, you name it. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. The rain date is Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m.

Earlier in the day, the Highland Lake Watershed Association will host Bottoms Up, the second-ever scuba diving event on Highland Lake, in which certified scuba divers are invited to dive into the drink to look for historic items buried beneath the waters. The event is organized as a cleanup effort at the lake, but offers scuba divers a rare chance to use their skills in a lake and to perhaps discover items of value. Prizes will be awarded to scuba divers who find the most interesting items.

Registration for Bottoms Up begins at 7 a.m., with the event itself running from 8 a.m. to noon. Highland Lake Watershed Association President Dick Labich said a 6 mph speed limit will be in effect for the duration of the dive. Call 860-738-0167 for more information.

While the divers are going under, the Winsted Fire Police will host a brunch at the Prospect Street Firehouse, 187 Prospect St., from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage and fruit salad will be accompanied by quiche, veggie lasagna, sausage and peppers, meatballs, tossed salad, homemade cakes and more.

To-go meals will be available for people who want to take a meal to the scuba diving event or to the Rotary Pet Parade. The requested donation is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Call 860-307-6617 for information.

Finally, on Sunday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Winsted Elks Lodge will once again host its annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at Tatro’s Pond. Free hot dogs and sodas will be offered at the derby, along with hundreds of prizes to children. The boy and girl who score the biggest fish will win free mounting of their winning catches.

For more information, call the Winsted Elks Lodge at 860-379-8045.

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