SHELBURNE — As residents were gathered at the Baptist Corner Lot at Main and Water streets Friday, the word “community” resonated throughout speeches made by several government officials.
The officials, along with residents, were on hand for the celebration of the town’s 250th anniversary, which began on Friday. The celebration will be happening all weekend, with several events scheduled, including a parade and fireworks.
The speeches, along with a dinner and dancing at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center on Main Street, started off the festivities.
Sen. Adam Hinds, who noted that he attended elementary school just 1,000 feet from where residents gathered Friday, said the town’s community is highlighted by the nearby geography that reinforces the sense of community.
“You get the nature of this being a cradle, the mountains on either side coming into the river valley and it underscores, for me, the importance of community creating a sense of safety,” he said.
Hinds was joined by fellow legislators, Representatives Paul Mark and Stephen Kulik, as well as former state Sen. Stanley Rosenberg.
Mark, who had his first ever campaign fundraiser in the town when running for office, remarked on the town’s resilience following Hurricane Irene as an example of the strength of community.
“To watch how everything has recovered here the last seven years is something great and something special,” he said.
But the celebration is not just about the community today, according to Rosenberg, but also about the residents before and the legacy they established in the town.
“It’s the solemn responsibility and duty of all those here today to continue to carry on that legacy and to welcome others who will come here to settle,” Rosenberg said, “and welcome them and allow them to become part of this ever-changing community with roots that never change.”
The celebration continues later today, with blacksmithing, woodwoorking and other “Crafts and Skills from Yesteryear” on display at the First Congregational Church on Mohawk Trail, as well as a town-wide quilt show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At 1 p.m., a Civil War Militia Camp reenactment group will set up camp on the grounds of the Shelburne Historical Society on Maple and Church Streets.
At 3 p.m., a parade celebrating the anniversary will begin at 3 p.m. at Cricket Field in Buckland.
The parade ends at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School on Mechanic Street, where food will be offered, as well as live bands and dancing starting at 4:15 p.m.
The night will end with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
You can reach Dan Desrochers at: ddesrochers@recorder.com 413-772-0261, ext. 257