The Great East Thompson Train Wreck Songwriting Competition goes “live” 6 June

A special event for a “Virtual” CT Trails Day

Sponsored by the Thompson Trails Committee and Thompson Historical Society

As a part of an ongoing project with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, the Town of Thompson recently sent out a call for singer-songwriters to compose a brand new song commemorating the events of the Great East Thompson Train Wreck, promoting CT Trails Day, and celebrating the Air Line State Park Trail. All of the submissions have been received, and coming up this weekend, you will have the chance to tune in and vote for your favorite! 

In a pre-COVID-19 world, CT Trails Day 2020 was scheduled for Saturday 6 June; but, in order to stayconsistent with social distancing requirements while still celebrating our trails, Thompson is having aVirtual CT Trails Day, instead. Starting on 6 June, a link will be posted on all of our online platforms (town website, social media, Instagram, etc), to Thompson’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg67evhE3c5likFChLUv3bQ, with a way for viewers to send in their vote for their favorite song. The link to vote will be live through 26 June, and the winner will be announced on 30 June. In the event of a tie for first place, members of Thompson Historical Society and Thompson Trails Committee will act as the tiebreaker.

The winning songwriter will be awarded a professional studio recording at WICN Public Radio 90.5 FM in Worcester, MA, as well as an accompanying video produced by Thompson resident Geoff Bolte of Clarus Studios. The funding for the award is provided by the National Park Service Rails, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, as a part of their ongoing partnership with Thompson Trails Committee for development of a trail action plan, which will include recommendations for development for the site of the Great East Thompson Train Wreck.

Once the link goes live, we hope you will share it far and wide! Please help us spread the word about Thompson’s CT gateway to the rest of the state’s length of the Air Line Trail; the unique historical event that took place there; and this fun way to share the experience of the trail safely from home.