Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 2/11/2020
SOUTHWICK – When Southwick incorporated as a town in November of 1770, it was because its residents wanted to break away from being part of Westfield and create their own thriving community.
Today, 250 years later, the residents of Southwick continue to thrive and are honoring the achievements of the town and its citizens with a year-long celebration.
The Celebrate Southwick 250 Committee, led by Chairman James Putnam, has spent the past two years planning and fundraising. Putnam said for him, the focus is the residents.
“It’s all about community,” he said. “Bringing the community together to celebrate is my goal.”
Putnam said there were so many event suggestions that they had to narrow the list to make it manageable, but the group wanted to have at least one per month leading up to November.
“We wanted all our events to be family-friendly, to work closely with groups already sponsoring community events, and to have fun,” said Putnam of the event criteria.
A celebration of this magnitude takes a lot of volunteers. Putnam said in addition to the Committee members, there are four major work groups with about 10 volunteers. He said another dozen residents volunteered for the town’s inaugural First Night. Putnam said more volunteers are needed.
“We gladly seek and welcome volunteers for whatever role going forward, whether for specific events, a work group and/or the Committee,” he said. “Also, we continue to seek volunteers, performers and entertainers for our various events.”
Putnam said the volunteers have made the planning experience special.
“Working with our volunteers is an awesome experience! As I listen and watch, I feel the love of our town, the energy and the creativity of our volunteers,” he said. “I’ve reconnected with folks with whom I grew up here in town, met some wonderful new folks and worked with others I have known in other capacities for much of my adult life. I know that I will someday look back on my 250 experience as a special time in my life.”
The other key to making Southwick’s 250th anniversary a success is sponsorships and donations. Every event comes at a cost, said Putnam, and many businesses and residents have stepped up to help financially.
“We have had a wonderful grass roots response to sponsorships, especially as a result of our Banner Way program last fall,” said Putnam. “We continue to actively recruit additional sponsors whose support will be critical to the success of our Grand Parade and Taste of Southwick Gala next fall.”
Banner Way is what the Committee calls the main corridor of town on College Highway where banners were created to mark events in Southwick’s history. The banners hang from streetlamps and are each sponsored by a business or individual. They will hang there throughout 2020.
Putnam said he and fellow committee members Joe Deedy and Russ Fox are meeting with anyone interested in sponsorship opportunities.
“We would love to meet with anyone willing to help our community with cash donations, in-kind materials or services or any other resources that will help us,” Putnam said. “And, those who wish to make a small donation via credit card or PayPal are encouraged to do so at SouthwickCivicFund.org . Please be sure to indicate Southwick 250 as the purpose. A check payable to Southwick Civic Fund is also most welcome – again be sure to write Southwick 250 in the memo line.”
Putnam said the Committee’s fundraising efforts kicked-off with a boost from the state.
“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provided a generous start-up grant in the prior fiscal year thanks to state Rep. Nick Boldyga and former state Sen. Don Humason,” he said. “The Town of Southwick has also provided some funding in the current fiscal year. All much appreciated, but we are going to need a significant response from the community to accomplish our plan.”
There are numerous events planned for the year, including a Food and Pub Crawl on March 14, the Alumni Band Concert on May 2, the Run/Walk Southwick on June 7, the July 4 Boat Parade, Pumpkin Festival and Car Show on Oct. 3, Grand Parade on Oct. 11, Paranormal Clinic on Oct. 17 and Taste of Southwick Gala on Nov. 7, among other events.
Putnam said he can’t wait to continue the celebration.
“I’m so proud of what our ‘250 Volunteers’ have already accomplished and excited about what is to come throughout 2020,” he said. “There has been great teamwork. I get tremendous satisfaction as chair in helping behind the scenes to make our volunteers successful.”
For more information visit www.Southwick250.org.