Tercentennial Celebrations Will Heat Up This Summer

By Nancy K. Crevier

With the Tercentennial Ball, the beard growing contest, the cemetery stroll, and several other celebrations sponsored by various local organizations behind it, Newtown’s Tercentennial Steering Committee continues to meet each month to coordinate the remaining major events celebrating Newtown’s 300th birthday.

At the May 11 meeting held at the C.H. Booth Library, the committee’s focus was on the upcoming gala celebration scheduled for August 6 at Fairfield Hills.

“We’re rolling along,” said committee member, Barbara Kasbarian, “but without volunteers, we won’t be able to do this.”

At least 50 volunteers are needed to assist at the giant birthday party. Teenagers are welcome to volunteer, but at least 24 volunteers must be adults to handle the inflatable moon bouncers that will be set up for the festivities, as well as to check handicap stickers for the handicap parking area. Volunteers can sign up using the form found at www.newtown300.com, or by calling Ms Kasbarian at the Parks and Recreation office, 270-4340.

A vintage baseball game, a presentation by the Governor’s Horse Guard, an antique auto show and a Democrats vs Republicans softball game, pony rides, and face painting are some of the activities townspeople will enjoy at the party. Two local bands have been confirmed for live music performances, and for those who choose not to pack their own picnics, plenty of food booths will ensure no one goes hungry.

Sandy Hook Fire Company will serve roast beef sandwiches and the Hook and Ladder Company will fire up hamburgers and hot dogs, said Ms Kasbarian. The other local fire companies also plan to staff food booths, and the Knights of Columbus will serve up its popular fried dough.

Mike Fitzsimons reported that the grand finale for the day, the fireworks show sponsored by Newtown Savings Bank, is going to be a thrill for viewers. Recommendations from the fireworks companies he has interviewed consist of an average of 100 shells a minute bursting in the air. Larger shells, he stated, while more costly, would give the community a better show, as smaller shells are set off too close to the ground and would be obscured by the tree line. The committee agreed that a spectacular show was worth doing right, and that they should follow the recommendations of Mr Fitzsimons and the fireworks experts with whom he has been working.

Specific viewing sights off of Queen Street, Reed School, Newtown Middle School, Newtown High School and Fairfield Hills will be designated and made public at a later date.

In addition to the August 6 birthday bash, Newtowners want to stay alert for other sanctioned tercentennial events coming up. Mae Schmidle reported that 12 to 15 local groups and organizations have already signed up for the Rooster Rally, a small “street fair” highlighting all kinds of rooster-related activities.

The Rooster Rally will welcome retired police Captain Michael Louis Fekete as honorary chairman of the event. Captain Fekete has received numerous Citizen’s Commendatios, and served as Acting Chief of Police in Newtown in 1996.

The rally takes place June 18, 11:30 am to 2pm on the stretch of Main Street from Edmond Town Hall to the flagpole. It is not too late, said Ms Schmidle, to reserve an exhibit or display space. Registration forms are available at the C.H. Booth Library and at several other local businesses.

Education committee member Brigette Sorensen reminded everyone that several of the schools have participated in the tercentennial through art works, salutes to the tercentennial at choral and band concerts, historical story writing, displays featuring famous people from Newtown’s history, and studying Newtown’s part in the American Revolution. Visitors to local schools may want to keep their eyes open for the sights and sounds of Newtown’s 300th Anniversary.

For those hoping for something tangible to remind them of the celebration when the year is over, a collection of historical essays by Dan Cruson, as well as a coffee table book, will join the porridger, ornaments, and pens currently available. Local artist Jill Baimel is designing the book jacket for Mr Cruson’s essays, and the steering committee voted to endorse a commemorative poster consisting of a photo montage of Newtown that Ms Baimel has designed.

The committee eagerly anticipates the many activities planned to memorialize Newtown’s 300th year of existence, and to the contributions and participation of the town’s people.