Robert Barton updated the Board of Selectmen on the progress.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town has scheduled a series of events to celebrate its 250th anniversary and is now seeking sponsors.

 

A 250th committee formed earlier this year to celebrate the anniversary of town's incorporation in 1765. That committee is plotting out a series of events to commemorate the occasion.

 

The Board of Selectmen previously granted the committee $1,000 to get started and on Monday approved the events calendar, a fundraising letter that will be sent to businesses and a budget committee to oversee the expense of funds.

 

The calendar features 14 events, all ranging in scale. The celebration kicks off on Sunday, December 7 of this year when St. Luke's Episcopal Church is incorporating a 250th theme into a Christmas tree lighting and caroling outside of their Rt. 7 building.

 

On New Year's Day, the committee plans to put a 24-hour spotlight on the American flag at the old registry building. In February, a winter ball will be thrown at the Skyline Country Club. In March, there will be a history fair at Town Hall and, in May, the committee will launch a town history tour.

 

The committee hopes to incorporate a 250th theme into the Memorial Day parade. There will be a special dinner at the Skyline with music and a walk and talk at the Mount Greylock Visitors Center and Bradley Farm in June. Sometime in July, the committee is organizing a fireman's muster. The annual town picnic will also be in July.

 

In August, the town's block dance will incorporate a 250th theme and one week after that there will be a flotilla parade on Pontoosuc Lake. In September, there will be hike and ice cream social up Constitution Hill.

 

The events culminate with an event of music, raffles and visiting dignitaries on Oct. 18.

 

"We expect some of these events will need a subsidy," said 250th Committee member Robert Barton, adding that the events will need a range of additional funds from hanging banners from utility poles to ordering some large signs. 

 

"We also will be doing some printing of promotional materials ...We are going to do some fundraising," he said.

 

The committee is looking to get some business sponsors on board in January. The group is offering levels of sponsorship that will be included in the advertising and promotional materials.

 

"We need to have eight to 10 businesses to step up as sponsors," Barton said.

 

Another fundraiser the group is doing is to sell "passports" that will have discounts to businesses. Residents can buy the passports and use them as coupons.

 

Barton said the group is also preparing to sell coffee mugs and T-shirts, but other towns have said those sales don't generate much revenue. 

 

The Selectmen were happy with the progress the group has already made. 

 

"You guys are doing a lot of work and you should be commended for it," Selectman Robert Ericson said.