LONGMEADOW – Each year hundreds of locals pour onto the Longmeadow town green for Long Meddowe Days.  The 39th Annual Long Meddowe Days festivities will take place on May 19 and 20, and will be the host of the Tim Paige 5K Memorial Road Race/Walk, as well as opportunities for people to learn about the town, watch live entertainment and shop at vendor booths.

The first Long Meddowe Days took place in 1980, and since the start, the Historical Society has sponsored the event with all proceeds going toward funding educational programs, historical research and maintenance of the Storrs House Museum.

“The first Long Meddowe Days event was held on May 31 to June 1, 1980. It was organized by the Longmeadow Historical Society to test the concept and prepare to celebrate the bicentennial celebration of the incorporation of Longmeadow as a town in 1983,” said Jim Moran of the Longmeadow Historical Society. “Newspaper articles in the Springfield Republican after this first event described it as a very successful event attended by many people.”

The Historical Society explained in a press release that Long Meddowe Days, while a community fair meant for entertainment and enjoyment, is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the town. The Storrs House Museum at 697 Longmeadow St. will be open on both the 19th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the 20th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“Step into the past while walking through this historic home and view several period rooms set up to illustrate Longmeadow and regional history from the early 17th century to the mid-19th century,” the release states. “In addition to the Stephen Williams room that opened in 2016 there is an exciting new exhibit entitled: ‘Through the Lens – Longmeadow into New Century -’ opening up for the first time during the Long Meddowe Days weekend.”

In addition, the Historical Society will have a tent on the green, which will be the place-to-go to learn about the history of Longmeadow as well as upcoming programs.  The tent will also have unique gifts for purchase.

At 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday an expert local guide will offer tours of the Old Burying Yard in Longmeadow Cemetery. Many of the gravestones at the site are over 250 years old.  Following the tour, the 9th Massachusetts Light Artillery group will be conducting a service, playing taps and firing a musket volley.

Aside from the many historical opportunities, there will be anywhere from 80 to 110 vendors in the artist and crafter category.  Moran shared that some vendors have participated in Long Meddowe Days for up to 15 years, while other vendors are new this year.

“Many [vendors] are local but there are many that come every year form all around New England. They include jewelry, wood craft, fiber crafts, photography, artwork and many unique specialties,” Moran explained. “I have been involved with this event for many years and I find it difficult to just spotlight a few crafters and artists. There is something for everyone.”

The proceeds from Long Meddowe Days have provided for numerous events and activities put on by the Historical Society. “Ghosts in the Graveyard,” one of the proceed-funded events, takes place in October annually. Moran explained the event as, “A favorite event for young and old. Former town residents who are buried in Longmeadow Cemetery return to tell their stories of days past.”

In addition to “Ghosts in the Graveyard,” Long Meddowe Days funds go toward sponsored lectures at the Storrs Library, archive maintenance and acquisitions, a weekly throwback Thursday history tidbit published online and in the Longmeadow News, new room exhibits, as well as house maintenance on the Storrs House.

“The Longmeadow Historical Society is a small, all volunteer organization and proceeds from the Long Meddowe Days event are prudently used to carry out its mission,” Moran said.

The Tim Paige 5K Memorial Road Race will commence on May 19 at 7:30 a.m.  To register for the road race, go to longmeddowedays.org and scroll down to “Tim Paige Memorial 5K Road Race Application.” Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The cost to participate in the race is $25 for adults and $15 for individuals under 18. Those who will be walking the race start at 7:30 a.m., and those who will be running start at 8 a.m.  Following the race there will be a free pancake breakfast at the Community House.

Residents of Longmeadow and surrounding towns are encouraged to attend the 39th Annual Long Meddowe Days. Admission to the two-day event is free. Long Meddowe Days will take place on May 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on May 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Longmeadow town green at 700 Longmeadow St.