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Date: 4/6/2021
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick 250th anniversary celebration is still on hold as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Southwick 250 Committee Chair Jim Putnam II said on April 1 that Southwick 250 events will remain on hold until Gov. Charlie D. Baker and the Southwick Board of Health permit public gatherings. He said he is optimistic that events will be able to take place in the fall, but that there is no way to know at his point.
“We have Sunday, Oct.10 blocked off to hold a parade if conditions permit,” said Putnam, “Our 250 Committee will meet during the next month to begin the process of planning for the parade.”
Putnam said that the recent book signing for the Southwick 250 book was a success and gave thanks to Lee Hamberg and Southwoods Printing. He added that when the weather gets better, they will do more book signings outdoors in a safe manner.
The Southwick 250 Committee also partnered with the Historical Society and the Southwick Public Library for a Zoom event titled “Paddy on the Railroad,” featuring local historian Dennis Picard. Putnam said the Zoom event was well attended, and that additional topics will be announced for Zoom lectures in the coming months.
“We continue to sell Southwick 250 souvenirs and ‘Southwick Revisited’ books at Southwoods, Southwick Florists, Summer House, The Launch and Re-Inspired,” said Putnam, “These purchases are greatly appreciated as the proceeds are needed to fund the production of our parade.”
“Maybe things will be safe in the fall. Maybe they won’t. My impression is that the Commonwealth has been taking a slow but sure approach to doing things,” said Putnam, just before the committee voted to postpone the celebrations.
Southwick was separated from Westfield and became its own town on Nov. 7, 1770.