~Photos by Jennifer Grimes

By Jennifer Grimes

Saturday June 22 was the perfect day for Somerville’s summertime event, which was held from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. The sun brightened stretches of grass on Trum Field, the breeze was gentle, and the clouds ceased to threaten rain.

Summertime in Somerville, operated by Somerville’s Parks and Recreation team, treated hundreds of families to a day of family friendly activities, pony rides, and a free BBQ. The annual family fun day was thoughtfully put together and run by community members who chose to volunteer their time for a relaxing, family-filled day.

The weather lent itself to the public and gave families a day to spend with their kids. Families enjoyed playing catch, sitting at a picnic table enjoying a burger, and lounging in the sun-soaked grass. Many children joyously lined up to take their turn climbing on top of a quarter horse for a quick stroll up and down the field. There was not a frown in sight on the faces of children or their parents. Kids of all ages grouped together for games of soccer, frisbee, and football while teenage volunteers coached the activities.

Firefighters and police officers also donated their services to the event. Firemen hoisted kids up onto their trucks and let them peer inside to see what a day in the life of a firefighter truly looked like. Police officers opened their cruisers as well and hoped to inspire the next generation to sit in the driver’s seat.

Summertime in Somerville has been running for a few years, originally hosted by the yard’s council, and every year the event has a fantastic turn out. The streets were lined with parked vehicles and blocked off dutifully so that parents and children could walk safely to the field. Children’s faces were shimmering with face paint and laughing with joy as they jumped on the mattress of the bouncy houses that the community supplied. The day at Trum Field was definitely not one to be missed.