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Date: 9/3/2019
SOUTHWICK – The town is making plans to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2020, with kick-off events scheduled for later this year.
The town was incorporated in November of 1770 and the 250th celebration begins Dec. 1 with a holiday light decorating contest followed by a town tree lighting and craft fair Dec. 7. The town is also planning its inaugural First Night celebration for families Dec. 31.
The Celebrate Southwick 250 Committee discussed its events schedule and fundraising efforts last week.
So far, the Committee has a $15,000 contribution from the town and just over $8,000 raised by the Southwick Civic Fund.
Fund organizers Joseph Deedy and his daughter Elizabeth said anyone can now make a donation via southwickcivicfund.org.
Russell Fox, who leads the fundraising committee, said he will meet with other 250th committees to get a better idea of an overall budget for the celebration.
“We need to have a realistic budget,” he said.
Celebrate Southwick 250 Chair James Putnam asked Fox to have an informed working budget by Oct. 1 so they could begin a bigger fundraising and sponsorship campaign.
Several fundraisers are underway, including merchandise sales. Souvenirs including hats, shirts, sweatshirts, car decals and mugs are available online at southwick250.org as well as during town events.
Volunteer Chelsea Berry created the website, which is now up and running and includes an option to sign-up as a volunteer for specific events.
“I just added agendas and minutes,” said Berry.
A banner sponsorship fundraiser is also underway. For a $250 donation, businesses, organizations and individuals can purchase a unique banner that will hang throughout the town from streetlights for the year. After 2020, the donor owns the banner and can hang it elsewhere.
Fox said state travel and tourism funds were used to purchase brackets for 50 banners and they will be hung when the town removes the current banners in November.
The Committee last week agreed to have the Agawam Paranormal Society conduct an investigation in town, free of charge, and present the results as a fundraiser.
The Celebrate Southwick 250 Committee will meet Sept. 16 at Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.