Recent visitors taking a trip to the past include Sherry (left) and George Rutkowske, decked out and ready to ride at Somewhere in Time. The community celebration begins today at 11 a.m. in Elizabeth Park.
By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — The day-long celebration Somewhere in Time hasn’t so much gotten bigger over the years as it has stayed true to its inspiration.
Parks and Recreation Director Joann Gonyea said that Sunday’s gathering in Elizabeth Park — including the culinary feast Taste of Trenton and Beyond — hasn’t strayed too far from its origins.
“The event has stood the test of time and everyone still enjoys it,” Gonyea said. “It’s a Sunday afternoon in the park with family and friends.”
Few would know better than Gonyea of the simple ambition, a community picnic tinted with a hint of nostalgia. Gonyea first pitched the idea for the now 30th annual event while still an intern with Wayne County Parks and Recreation after a 1927 photograph of people enjoying the park caught her eye.
The event was designed to recapture the early 1900s — in costume and automobile in some cases — and enjoy the natural gem right in their own backyard.
“It’s such a natural event for that park, for that setting,” Gonyea said. “There’s so much history in Elizabeth Park and we try to bring that back. People reminisce about the years gone by, when they were young, things they used to do.”
Somewhere in Time and Taste of Trenton and Beyond will begin at 11 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m.
Somewhere in Time, Gonyea said, continues its traditions of river boat tours, vintage car show, arts and crafts and live entertainment. The activities are joined by the 22nd annual Taste of Trenton and Beyond, which offers samplings from more than 15 local restaurants for an old-fashioned community picnic.
Throughout the day visitors can enjoy a display of antique bicycles, horseshoe tournament, arts and crafts, pony rides and historic walking tours.
Event sponsors include Trenton Business Association, Gibraltar Vet, Gorno Ford and Soughate Ford.
For a full schedule go to the city’s web site at www.trentonmi.org.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)