Trumbull Day Meets Westfield

Trumbull Day is back, but this time it has a partner: the .

"They are carrying the cost of the fireworks, the rides, the vendors," said First Selectman Tim Herbst. The town is splitting the cost of police for the June 25 event.

Trumbull Day used to be held at  and , which are neighbors, and was canceled last year because it was consistently losing money, Herbst said.

"I think people are going to be very happy with it," he added.

"Westfield really is the driver to this," said Deborah Cox, the town's Economic Development director.

Another reason for the partnership is to boost the mall, which recently spent $45 million for renovations. Before that it, mall officials felt separated from the town, according to the first selectman.

"It sends a message we're committed to the Trumbull Mall," Herbst said. "That's our mall. We're proud of the revitalization. I think this going to be a great event."

He asked potential critics to "give it a chance."

"If you were there last year, it was a great event," Herbst said, adding that the mall is being "very generous."

The day will also include the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., anyone with Trumbull identification can get into the zoo for $5. At 3 p.m., the mall open its doors with outdoor fun, children's activities, food and entertainment. Fireworks will start at dusk.

Resident Tom Pieragostini, a lifetime member of the who has studied town history extensively, explained the event's history.

"Trumbull Day was actually copied after the town's '175th Anniversary Family Day' parade and picnic held at Hillcrest Junior High School on Aug. 6, 1972," he said. "It was supposed to only be a one-time event, part of the town's celebrations that year, but it caught on and grew into the largest single-day event in Fairfield County by the 1990s."

Reactions on Facebook primarily opposed the merger, saying it's not truly Trumbull Day.

"Westfield is certainly welcome to have an event..but frankly, it won't be Trumbull Day," wrote one poster. All said the high school is the proper place for the event.