HUNTINGTON – This Sunday (June 24) from noon to 4 p.m. on the town commons will be “The Big Reveal,” the release of the new brand for the Gateway Hilltowns of Huntington, Blandford, Chester, Middlefield, Montgomery and Russell.
Jeanne LeClair, Economic Development Director for the Gateway Hilltowns, said The Big Reveal is the result of a grant of $40,000 for marketing and promotion through the Community Compact that the six towns signed with the Baker-Polito Administration two years ago, forming the Hilltown Collaborative.
LeClair said the collaborative used the funds to hire TSM Design out of Springfield, whose clients have included UMASS Amherst, MassMutual, the Community Foundation of Western Mass., Baystate Health, and Westfield Gas and Electric. Over the past few months, TSM Design held four focus group meetings with representatives from each town to develop a shared brand.
At The Big Reveal, the public is invited to join in a scavenger hunt at noon on Sunday, at which assembled teams will be given two hours to visit all six towns, following clues to a specific location in each and to take a photo. Prizes, including gift certificates at area businesses and a commemorative poster of the new logo will be awarded to successful teams.
Then, at 2:30, the new brand, logo and tagline for the Gateway Hilltowns will be revealed. Representatives from the towns will read the narrative they helped to write, which has a goal to attract new families and businesses to the area.
Jeanne LeClair, Gateway Hilltowns Economic Development Director. (WNG File Photo)
Following The Big Reveal, the public will be invited to partake in homemade pie and ice cream. Donations of pies are also welcomed.
LeClair, who was originally hired a year ago through a Community Compact grant, recently received unanimous support and funding from the six towns at their annual meetings for a second year in the shared position. She has been instrumental in identifying opportunities, obtaining grants, and helping the towns to pool resources for the common goal of visibility and progress in an area previously referred to as the hidden hills of western Mass.
LeClair is excited about The Big Reveal on Sunday and what lies ahead for the Gateway Hilltowns. “People should go to learn more about exciting economic development projects over the next year, of which marketing is a huge part,” she said, adding, “And of course, free pie.”
The rain or shine event will be held outdoors on the town commons from noon to 4 p.m. or indoors in Stanton Hall in case of rain. More information may be found at gatewayhilltowns.org/reveal.
