Jim Putnam (standing, left) Chair of the Celebrate Southwick 250 Committee, explains the history of the banners and how the tour is going to work. (Photo by Peter Currier)
SOUTHWICK- Drivers on College Highway may notice banners on many of the street lights going down the downtown corridor in celebration of the town’s 250th birthday.
Banners depicting historical and current aspects of Southwick were hung from Interstate Building Supply to Town Hallov. Residents viewed them Nov. 17 as the Celebrate Southwick 250 Committee hosted its Banner Way Day tour.
Those participating in the tour first went to Town Hall where Celebrate Southwick 250 Committee Chair James Putnam II explained the history behind the banners and how the tour would go.
“We’re really excited for what we have in store for you this year. There are a lot of great opportunities,” said Putnam.
He said that they ended up with 51 sponsors for 51 different banners. He also noted that the 250 Committee is still seeking funds and volunteers. They have a goal of $100,000 to be raised for the town’s birthday celebrations, and that they have received $25,000 so far according to Town Selectman Russ Fox.
Dozens of Southwick residents participated in the frigid tour on College Highway. They are seen here under the banner depicting one of Southwick’s police k-9s. (Photo by Peter Currier)
“We need resources. We need volunteers,” said Putnam, who then joked, “No more ideas! We have got plenty to do. We have lots of great ideas. We’re pretty much tapped out in that department.”
For the actual tour, residents were given a couple of options for viewing the banners. Considering the weather, some participants opted to take the tour on a slowly moving shuttle bus down College Highway. Most people chose to brave the just-above-freezing temperatures to do the 1 hour tour.
Some examples of the banners include one depicting the tobacco fields present in Southwick. A description of the banner on display in the Town Hall auditorium said that older residents of the town may remember their teenage jobs of picking tobacco during the summer.
Another banner, one of the first ones on the tour on the North end of College Highway depicted one of Southwick’s recent police K-9s.
Some of the images depicted on the banners were donated by the Southwick Historical Society. Others were donated by residents and businesses of Southwick.
The banners will remain on College Highway for the duration of the 250th birthday celebrations. They are currently scheduled to remain until Nov. 7, 2020.
