WHATELY — Everything is falling into place with just two months to go before the town’s delayed 250th anniversary celebration.
“We started this process four years ago expecting to do this last year. We have been at this for a very long time,” recounted Susan Baron, who is on the 250th Anniversary Steering Committee. “I am really impressed with how people in this town have stepped up to get involved in something they care about.”
The town put the celebration on hold — minus the birthday parade and lighting of the birthday cake — last year out of an abundance of caution around the pandemic. This year, however, Baron expects the celebration to kick off in all of its glory from June 17 through June 26.
“We’re hoping COVID is behind us, but almost all of the events that are being planned can happen anyway,” she said, adding that most indoor events can be shifted outside if needed. “We’re praying for good weather in June.”
The committee has planned a wide variety of events, including live music performances throughout the week, a Family Fun Day, a chicken barbecue, an art show and the burying of a 50-year time capsule at the S. White Dickinson Memorial Library.
Baron said the anniversary celebration has been funded by three $20,000 appropriations at Town Meeting over the years and a $10,000 grant that state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, and Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, helped the town acquire.
“They were fantastic about that,” Baron said. “They stuck with us.”
Volunteers are being sought for each event, with Baron adding that Family Fun Day is “going to take a lot of bodies” to run smoothly. Those interested in lending a hand can email the 250th Anniversary Steering Committee at 250th.Whately.info@gmail.com.
Baron said the committee is gearing up for a week of fun that everyone has needed since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago. She also thanked the “generosity of some of the businesses in town” for helping sponsor the events, along with the Police and Firemens’ associations for taking the lead on several of the activities.
“We are so exciting this is finally happening,” Baron said. “We’re not just celebrating 250 years, we’re celebrating getting through the past two years and being able to have fun again.”
■Friday, June 17 — Car show with live music
■Saturday, June 18 — Tractor parade, steam engine show and Polka Night
■Sunday, June 19 — Ecumenical service and Juneteenth celebration, firemen’s muster and Historical Society lecture called “A Canterbury Tale of Whately’s Evolving Natural and Human Landscape”
■Monday, June 20 — Dedication of town gifts, burying of the time capsule and a jazz concert
■Tuesday, June 21 — Art show and quilt dedication
■Wednesday, June 22 — Watermelon Wednesdays concert
■Thursday, June 23 — Concert
■Friday, June 24 — Chicken barbecue and fireworks
■Saturday, June 25 — Family Fun Day
■Sunday, June 26 — Parade
■Ongoing — Historical Commission’s self-guided “Hidden History” tour and the Historical Society’s exhibit, “Becoming Whately: A History of the Town in Objects”
Details about events are available at whately250.com.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.