SOUTHWICK – The Celebrate Southwick 250th Committee hosted an open house event on Monday night at the Southwick Town Hall.
Monday’s event was focused on businesses and organizations in town allowing them an opportunity to learn what the Committee is doing for the town’s upcoming 250th Celebration.
Southwick became a town on November 7, 1770 and will celebrate turning 250-years-old on November 7, 2020. As part of the celebration, the 250th Committee is holding events from December 2019 to November of 2020 to celebrate the town.
Business owners and civic groups are seen signing up to be a part of the open house on Monday night. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
The open house Monday started by allowing businesses and civic groups to walk around and talk among each another. This was followed by a more formal discussion in the auditorium of the Southwick Town Hall providing those in attendance more information about what the committee is currently doing.
Jim Putnam, Chairman of the Celebrate Southwick 250th Committee, informed the the attendees that the committee is eager to work with them.
“We’re hoping that we can collaborate and cooperate with the local business community,” said Putnam.
Following Putnam, members of various work groups in the committee spoke about what they are planning for the year-long celebration.
Freda Brown of the Events Work Group, went over some of the events that area already planned. The list includes a First Night on New Year’s Eve December 31,2019 to kick off the entire celebration. Other events include a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl in March, a road race in May, and a parade on October 10, 2020.
Marcus Phelps, who is helping organize the parade in October, said that the theme of the parade is “Southwick through the centuries,” which goes from the 1700’s to the 2000’s.
A number of businesses and civic organizations attended the Celebrate 250th open house at the Southwick Town Hall on Monday night. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
The committee believes the variety of events will be an attraction to residents.
“There’s something for everybody that people will want to go to,” said Brown.
Russ Fox, who’s heading the Finance and Funding Work Group, is encouraging businesses and organizations to make a donation of any amount to help provide funding for these events. Fox also noted that the biggest portion of funding that the committee has received is a $25,000 grant from the state that Rep. Nick Boldyga and Sen. Don Humason helped make happen.
Most importantly, the committee wants the businesses to take part in a unique opportunity.
“We’d like every single business to be involved,” said Fox. “This is a community, this is going to be a great celebration.”
“We’ll be in the celebration. Any shape or way they need us,” said John Westcott, the Assistant Cub Master for Cub Scout Pack 114.
Jessica Robling, co-owner of The Launch, is also willing to assist.
“We’ve really wanted to find out what we can do,” said Robling.
