By Grace Allen

The Boston 25 Morning News team will broadcast live from Wrentham’s town common on Friday, July 28 from 6 to 10 a.m. in the latest edition of the popular Zip Trips segment. Residents of all ages are encouraged to come out and be part of the audience and share what makes Wrentham a great place to live.

Friday morning Zip Trips are a summer tradition for the station. The live broadcasts, now in their 20th season, are a way to connect with viewers and give residents a chance to promote their community. 

Anchors Gene Lavanchy and Elizabeth Hopkins, along with meteorologist Shiri Spear, are scheduled to broadcast in front of the live audience on the town common. The morning will feature several interviews with Wrentham officials, including Town Administrator Kevin Sweet, Select Board Chair Joseph F. Botaish II, and Town Moderator Edward Goddard, who also co-chairs the 350th Committee.

The Wrentham Elementary School chorus, led by music teacher Melanie Mariotti, will perform the song “Wrentham, Oh Wrentham,” to acknowledge and honor the town’s 350th anniversary. The song’s music was written by local musician and school aide Mike McGuire, with lyrics by Grey Almeida, 350th Committee member, Julia Haney from the Music Box, and Mike McGuire. 

The broadcast will showcase favorite Wrentham restaurants, locations, and more. 

Zip Trips have plenty of activities for crowd participation, including a free kids’ activity zone, games, and booths for attendees to browse. 

And while Zip Trips are always a popular draw for residents, the Boston 25 news anchors enjoy the experience, too. According to Gene Lavanchy, Zip Trips get the anchors out of the studio to meet the viewers and learn about the community, all in a positive format.

“Usually when news trucks roll into a town, it’s often to cover something bad that happened,” said Lavanchy in an email. “With Zip Trips, we’re coming in to highlight all the wonderful things about a town, its history, shops and restaurants, and local people who make a difference in the community. We love learning about the places we visit, and the pride folks have in their city or town. We shine the spotlight and let the city or town take a bow. It’s been the formula that has made Zip Trips the most popular news segment over the last two decades.”

Lavanchy, who has anchored the long-running Zip Trips since the very beginning, knows Wrentham well. He’s a life-long Walpole resident and says he’s been to Wrentham many times over the years for sporting events with his kids, shopping at the outlets, and visiting family and friends in town. Lavanchy also shared he was married at Lake Pearl Wrentham.

“It’s a wonderful town,” he said, noting he was looking forward to broadcasting from the common. “We hope folks will stop by to take part in a kind of old-style revival. We’re like a carnival coming to town, with lots of interactive booths and things to do. Come on down and meet friends and get a behind-the-scenes look at a live television broadcast. It’s a very memorable morning.”

Town officials also encourage residents to attend the special live broadcast on July 28.

“This event perfectly coincides with our town’s 350th anniversary and is yet another opportunity for our community members to come together to celebrate all the great aspects of living and working in the town of Wrentham,” said Town Administrator Sweet. “We greatly look forward to hosting the Boston 25 crew and hope to have a huge community turnout.”

The town will close David Brown Way and Common Street for the event. Spectator parking will be available at Town Hall, the Delaney School, and the Senior Center. A shuttle bus will run from the Senior Center to the town common from 8 to 10 a.m.

Residents are reminded that the town center parking lot will be under construction until August 31.