GILL — The celebration of the town’s 225th anniversary drew a crowd to the field behind the Riverside school for the evening and into the night with a fireworks display sponsored by the Franklin County Boat Club on Saturday, July 28.
Administrative Assistant Ray Purington said the 225th was truly a community event — with chairman of the selectboard Randy Crochier as a chef, and selectmen Greg Snedeker played in the band and police chief Chris Redman organized entertainment.
Crochier said the idea for the pig roast came from the bicentennial, and, as a chef, he had a pig roaster.
“When we realized we have the 225th we said, ‘We have to do something.’ So we decided to go with the fireworks and get more bang for our buck,” Crochier said. “It’s a true community event; we wouldn’t be able to do this without the 225 Committee.”
There was a K-9 performance from Orange and Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Greenfield police PTSD dogs and a birds of prey show from Tom Ricardi.
There were options for food including the pig roast dinner, ice cream and pie from the Wagon Wheel and strawberry shortcake.
Greenfield Police K-9s Clarence and Donut were in attendance with Lt. William Gordon and Officer Laura Gordon to answer questions and greet the public. The two St. Bernards are comfort dogs, which help the public to cope with stress or anxiety.
Recently, Clarence and Lt. Gordon went to Falmouth Officer Michael Chesna’s funeral.
In a different line of work, K-9s from the Orange Police Department and the Franklin County Sherrif’s Department, work as narcotics dogs and are bite-trained.
The officers showed people how the dogs can find hidden objects by hiding something under one of four boxes.
The dog would sit or lay down when they found an object.
Another program, the birds of prey, informed people about a variety of birds such as owls, eagles and hawks.
Ricardi spoke to people about the birds, their environments and eating habits. He strongly advised people to leave wild animals alone if they find them on the side of the road.
Residents and visitors to Gill said they enjoyed the event.
Pat Hawkins said she had a good time at the celebration.
“I came because I’m a Gillbilly. I was hoping to see everyone from town,” said Hawkins. “There are a lot of familiar faces and new faces.”
Steve Marinello, who was taken to the celebration by his daughter, Hawkins, said he had a pleasant time.
“This is excellent,” said Marinello. “The food was good, the lines were fast and the ice cream is great.”
Resident of Gill for over 50 years, Peg Rewa, said it was a good celebration of the town.
“I came to see people I don’t get to see very often,” Rewa said.
Visitors to the town, Diane and Bill Roeder of Northampton, said they’ve been attending the Christmas in July event annually for years.
“It’s nice to be up here reminiscing,” Diane Roeder. “It’s nice to see people having fun; this is what memories are made of.”
The Christmas in July event, which the town decided to incorporate into its 225th anniversary, is also celebrating an anniversary.
Fifteen years ago, Franklin County Boat Club member and former Commodore Chuck Reum created the Christmas in July event for the club, including events like the boat parade and fireworks display.
Reum died earlier this year and his family decorated a boat in his honor.
“My husband put his heart and soul into this. He would come here and do everything, he got everyone together, he treated everyone like they were family,” said Janice Reum, Chuck Reum’s widow.
She said one goal her husband had was to have the band Lakeside Drive perform at the boat club as part of the Christmas in July, which the club was able to achieve this year.
She said her husband would have been happy to see so many people in attendance and the town donating funds for the fireworks display.
“The fireworks are amazing, they are comparable to Greenfield’s,” Janice Reum said. “It’s amazing to see so many people together. He would have been so happy.”
The boat parade took place after the sunset, showing the variety of light displays attached to boats, floating by the shore for people to see. Then, after the parade concluded, the boats were docked and the 15-minute fireworks display started.
Overall, town officials said the event was a success.
“This is great community event. We have a diverse group of people from all ages, it’s amazing,” Crochier said.