Celebrate Southwick 250 Committee member Deb Herath offers information on the celebration of the town’s incorporation during the town election May 14, 2019. (Hope E. Tremblay Photo)
SOUTHWICK – The town’s 250th anniversary is more than a year away, but organizers are working hard to create a memorable series of events to celebrate the milestone.
Anniversary Committee member Deb Herath said the committee’s first public appearance will be in Westfield this weekend.
Southwick will participate in Westfield’s 350th anniversary parade May 19. It’s fitting that this will be the town’s first 250th appearance because much of Southwick was originally part of Westfield.
Celebrate Southwick 250 Chairman Jim Putnam said he couldn’t wait to unveil the float.
“We are really excited about this colorful float, which tells our Southwick story in pictures,” he said.
The committee will offer an update to the public May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Herath said there is much to share, but the main takeaway will be that the committee needs volunteers and sponsors.
“There is a lot going on and a lot planned – more than I thought when I joined the group,” said Herath. “We have so many creative people with great ideas, but we need volunteers and sponsors to bring it all to fruition.”
This banner, created by Southwoods to commemorate Southwick’s 250th anniversary, is an example of sponsorship opportunities to support the year-long events leading up to Celebrate Southwick 250 in October, 2020 . (Hope E. Tremblay Photo)
Putnam agreed those are the priorities to get the celebration moving forward.
“We are kicking off our fundraising appeal to residents, businesses and organizations,” said Putnam, noting that the downtown banner program is one way to support the effort.
Southwick 250 has planned almost a full year of celebratory events, starting with Light Up Southwick, a house lighting contest that begins Dec. 1 and ends with the announcement of a winner Dec. 31 at the town’s first First Night Southwick event. Family activities, including a bonfire and fireworks, are planned to help the town kick-off it’s quarter-century anniversary.
The celebration continues into 2020 with a winter carnival in February, a pub crawl in March, spring run and family fun in May, July 4 boat parade followed by fireworks and carnival July 18 and a revolutionary re-enactment in August.
Fall events include an Autumn Pumpkin Festival Sept. 26, school reunions the weekend of Oct. 9 and the Southwick Grand Parade Oct. 10.
Herath said the committee is putting out a call for artistic snow sculptures for its Feb. 15, 2020 winter event, as well as a call for street performers and entertainers for several events throughout the year.
Herath said there are numerous sponsorship opportunities starting with a bronze level sponsorship of $100 up to a platinum level sponsorship of $5,000. Businesses and individuals can also sponsor a float in the parade or sponsor/purchase a banner that will hang on light posts throughout the town.
For more information, visit the Celebrate Southwick 250 Facebook page.
