By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Plans to celebrate Westborough’s 300th anniversary – leading up to and on the anniversary date, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 – are coalescing under the leadership of co-chairs Ed Newton Jr. and Deb Schradieck. The group has launched a new website, westborough300.com, which features a red, white, and blue logo created by contest-winner Andrew Biancheri, a Westborough resident and graphic designer. The site provides details on a packed calendar and volunteer opportunities.
“We are so happy with the number of volunteers and level of excitement so far. The 300th anniversary celebration is off to a great start and we want to let everyone know that this celebration is open to everyone and we are committed to making this year-long event as diverse and inclusive as the Town of Westborough itself,” said Schradieck.
For one year starting Saturday, Nov. 5, the 300th Anniversary Committee plans to run a store at Bay State Commons where they will sell local items and memorabilia. The owners of Bay State Commons have offered a lease at a nominal cost, according to the westborough300 website.
According to the site, “we will be seeking artists, artisans, crafters, and photographers to sell their work… We need volunteers to work it, set it up, and we’ll need shelving and display furniture to showcase the products.”
About two months after the store opens, on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, there are plans for a gallery opening and birthday party. Each month the gallery will feature a local artist or exhibit.
The Store Committee co-chairs are Nancy Perkins and Roberta Falvey.
Commemorative t-shirts ($20) and buttons ($2) are already on sale at Westborough’s Farmers Market, which is held Thursdays through Sept. 29 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Congregational Church, 57 W. Main St. They will also be sold during Westborough’s Fourth of July Block Party.
An early event on the 300th Anniversary Committee’s calendar is the 300 Mittens Project. Launching in September, the group hopes to collect 300 pairs of mittens for the needy.
A lecture series at the Westborough Public Library is planned through April 2017.
On Saturday, May 20, 2017, there will be a pub crawl at Westborough restaurants, with the goal of finding a signature drink for the 300th anniversary.
A family day is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the Mass. Wildlife facility on Rabbit Hill Road in Westborough. Fireworks will be set off that night over Lake Chauncy.
There will be a Build-A-Float Workshop for the parade at a date to be determined in February. The date of the parade is Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017.
In addition, Westborough’s Wendy Mickel is leading an effort to plan a 300th Anniversary Ball Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. Located in a big tent sited in the Bay State Common on the Green, the event will have a roaring ‘20s theme.
The final event is a Town Manager’s Reception on the 300th anniversary date, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017.
“We’ve planned a number of great, community-oriented events and recruited over 100 volunteers so far,” Fundraising Committee Chair Reene Hatherley said. “Our greatest need at this time is funding. To this effort, we have a Fundraising Committee that is reaching out to every household and business in town for support through a mailing. We urge everyone who can to participate so that Westborough’s celebration will be the best ever! Check your mailboxes in the near future.”
For more information, and to contact the committee, visit www.westborough300.com.