Community Outlook 2021: Southwick’s 250th anniversary celebrations continue

Date: 2/22/2021

SOUTHWICK – As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the events for Southwick’s 250th anniversary had to be put on hold, but they may be resurrected in 2021 once the pandemic subsides.

Once the pandemic ends, committee chair Jim Putnam said they will decide which events will be put back on the calendar.

“We’ve said right along that we’re not going to make any decisions of what gets cancelled and what goes forward until we get past the pandemic and public events are permitted again. Our volunteer is very strong on that and there are several activities that I’m positive we will do,” he said.

Putnam said the committee is still planning to end the celebration with a parade.

“We will do a grand parade with a tentative date of Oct. 10, 2021. That depends on where we are at with the pandemic and what is permitted under the public health guidelines,” he said.

Along with the parade, Putnam said the committee will also bring back the pub crawl, which was originally scheduled for the day the initial COVID-19 restrictions began.

“I think it was on a Friday when Gov. Baker imposed the initial restrictions in March, and we were scheduled the next day to do our pub crawl. The buses were ready to start hauling people around, so we’re committed to doing that one,” he said.

While the committee is planning on revitalizing some of the events after they were put on hold in 2020, Putnam said it is up to the governor if the events will happen.

“It’s all going to be contingent on what happens on the state level and what the end game is on reopening for public events. Until we get through phases one, two, and three of reopening, there is not a lot to be gained about speculating when things will happen,” he said.

Putnam said he was hoping everyone will be able to keep 2020 in the rearview mirror with the new year beginning.

“Stay tuned for 2021, we’re all alive and well and we are going to do our best to wrap this thing up in a fun way to celebrate 250. It’s a special milestone for the community, we’re not disbanding because of 2020, we are going to put it behind us and put our best foot forward for 2021,” he said.

Residents interested in staying up to date will all the committee’s events can follow their Facebook page.