NORWICH – The Norwich Elks Lodge will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this week in unison with the official opening of East Park in downtown Norwich.

The Elks’ anniversary celebration will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday in East Park. The event will include food, games and door prizes and will be open to the entire community.

According to lodge leader Jeff Cola, the anniversary event is an opportunity for the Elks Lodge to show the community what they have contributed and how they participate in local events.

“When I was a kid I used to walk past this place and think it was just another building,” said Cola. “We want the community to see the great things we do as a non-profit, fraternal organization and not ‘just another building.’”

Cola said there will be many events for children to enjoy such as a face-painter, free balloons, bingo and door prizes. There will also be free live entertainment by the Beadle Brothers between 1-5 p.m. and free hot dogs from noon to 2. The Elks Lodge will also be hosting a chicken and pork barbecue and will be selling memorabilia to raise money for the event.

For a lodge that has gone through as many trials and tribulations as Lodge 1222, this event marks a significant moment for the Norwich elks. The Norwich Elks have been operating out of the same building since opening; however, in the mid-90s for a reason Cola could not explain, the building was sold to the city and then subsequently auctioned off to the landlord who holds the lease now. Cola said he was uncertain how this chain of events unfolded, but he is confidant that the building will once more return to the Elks, hopefully in the next few years.