SOUTHWICK – The 250th Anniversary Committee held their second meeting in the auditorium of the Southwick Town Hall on Monday night. A number of new people attended and expressed interest in either joining the committee or volunteering to help.
The 250th Anniversary Committee held their second meeting on Monday. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Select Board Clerk Russ Fox, who is helping organize the committee and celebration, suggested at the first meeting that they have at least one event every single month, starting in January of 2019.
People in attendance suggested doing an ice fishing derby on Congamond Lake or having ice sculptures on display during January and February, while March could include some sort of St. Patrick’s Day event.
According to Historical Commission member Lee Hamburg, soldiers from Southwick were asked on April 19, 1776 to battle in the American Revolution during the infamous “shot heard around the world.” On April 19. 1976, Southwick did a reenactment of it as part of its 200th anniversary and Hamburg noted the possibility of doing another reenactment.
The month of May and the following summer months could include a number of different parades, along with the annual town fireworks. With an ice cream social and pot luck dinner as options for August, the Westfield River Brewery could also be involved in August as they are coming out with a 250th anniversary beer.
For the fall, a steak roast from the Rotary Club, a ham or turkey shoot, and a possible Southwick day at the Big E are all events that committee members want to consider. October could have a Halloween theme with pumpkin carving and a spirit walk. November would cap off the year-long celebration with a banquet and dance.
Fox was encouraged by the larger turnout on Monday that the number of volunteers will continue to grow.
“We’ve seen more people,” said Fox. “We’re getting more people to attend.”
There was also interest to get small and big businesses in town involved in the celebration. Since the committee will need donations to help fund some of these events, it could be a benefit.
“They need to be recognized,” said committee member Freda Brown.
The Southwick Civic Fund, a non-profit organization in Southwick, will be assisting the committee by organizing any money that is raised for the 250th celebration.
According to Fox, the town has $5,000 left over from Southwick’s 225th anniversary along with $5,000 each that will be appropriated for both FY18 and FY19. The total amount of money the town has for the celebration is $15,000. Senator Don Humason is working on an earmark to help preserve additional money.
In April, the Select Board announced that they were looking to form a committee to work on the 250th anniversary project. The town was incorporated as a separate community on November 7, 1770 and in 2020, the town of Southwick will be celebrating their 250th anniversary.
