City Day

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Save the date! The 40th Anniversary City Day event will take place on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 5 - 8 pm in Washington Park. This year's celebration will expand on past year's, offering more activities, games, and a Concert in the Park (beginning at 7 pm). 

PLEASE NOTE! We have moved the event location within the park - this year's festivities will take place off of Park Avenue (near pavilions 1 - 3 and the Little League Baseball fields) - the portion of the park closest to the Municipal Building. 

We love the City of Groton and take pride in providing top-notch services for our residents. We also love showing and telling you all about what we do here in the City. City Day is a celebration of all things City of Groton and an opportunity for City employees to showcase what their departments are responsible for and what they do within the City and Groton Utilities.

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 1 | 5 - 8 pm

5:00 pmEvent Opens

Food Available for Purchase (at Pavilion #1)
5:30 pmPresentation of the Jacqueline B. Nixon Award (at the DJ booth)
5:40 pmCutting of the 40th Anniversary Cake (at the DJ booth)
5:45 pmCupcake Eating Contest (near the DJ booth)
6:00 pmDunk Tank Opens (runs 6 - 7 pm)

Cornhole Tournament (by volleyball court)
7:00Concert in the Park: American Honey (at the basketball court)


City of Groton & Groton Utilities Booths & Entertainment 

  • Balloon animals
  • Bike helmet giveaway from the Groton Lodge of Elks
  • Bounce houses & kids zone (on Filed #5)
  • cARTie Art Museum Craft Bus (near Field #4)
  • Cornhole tournament (6 pm) - sign up the night of
  • Cupcake eating contest (5:45 pm) - must register online in advance: https://forms.gle/N6MnZ5UgNRYBwWFc7
  • Demonstrations and giveaways by Groton Utilities
  • Dunk Tank (Try your hand at dunking City of Groton Elected Officials and Department Heads!)
  • Face painting (provided by Parks & Recreation)
  • Kona Ice Truck (provided by the Groton Utilities)
  • Plant Giveaway (provided by Planning & Economic Development)
  • Small animal petting zoo (provided by Groton Utilities, near pavilion #5)
  • Touch-a-truck (Featuring the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works Departments)

Community Partner Booths & Entertainment 

  • America's First Network Credit Union
  • Bill Memorial Library
  • Children First Groton
  • Cub Scouts Park 41
  • GASP
  • Grace Valley Academy
  • Groton Congregational Church 
  • Groton Heights Baptist Church, Christian Ed Board
  • New London NAACP
  • Nutmeg Fife & Drum
  • Sacred Heart School
  • Submarine Force Museum
  • Team 2168 Aluminum Falcon Robotics
  • Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC)
  • US Army Recruiting Station 

We offer a menu of delicious and reasonably priced food items - all cooked and served up by our elected officials, department heads and volunteers. The menu is subject to change, however, typically includes hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, chips, and cold drinks - in addition, we will be bringing back a fan favorite, snow cones!

A DJ will be there all evening to keep the celebration in high gear; and the winner of the Jacqueline Nixon Community Service Award will be announced. 

We hope you're able to join us for this beloved, family friendly community event!