802-442-4038 info@shaftsburyvt.gov

We Came!

We Saw!

We Celebrated!

 

 

What a weekend! Shaftsbury showed that a little town can do big things. Congratulations go to out to everyone: from the 250 Committee who organized the event, to our veterans who were honored in the parade, to the town folk who came out and had a good time.  Many thanks to the scores of volunteers and to our business and individual sponsors who made it all possible.
Still feeling the love?  What’s next for Shaftsbury? Who knows! 
 
Celebrate Shaftsbury 250 Years!
1761-2011
August 19-21, 2011
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of Shaftsbury, Vermont, and we intend to celebrate!  Mark your calendars for the weekend of August 19-21, 2011.  The town-wide celebration will include activities ranging from a parade to music and dancing to historical remembrance.  There will something for everyone.

Opening ceremonies begin on Friday, August 19th at Howard Park with a community bring-your-own picnic dinner (the first 450 get free ice cream!). Colonial music will introduce “Governor Wentworth” who will read our original charter and a cannon volley will ring across the hillside!  A contra-dance and celebratory bonfire will round out the evening.  Saturday’s events include a parade beginning at the Buck Hill Firehouse, continuing around Cleveland Ave. and up Main St. At Cleveland Ave. Park, the parade will pause for a ceremonial sugar maple tree planting involving the town’s oldest and youngest citizens. Following the parade is the Shaftsbury Street Fair with vendors, historic reenactments, old world craftsmen stations, antique cars, the famous Firemen’s Barbeque and the Annual Street Dance with band.   On Sunday at the Governor Galusha Homestead, the Shaftsbury Historical Society is sponsoring a dramatic talk on the “Underground Railroad in Shaftsbury” featuring Anne Bugbee as Harriet Tubman.

All community members are invited to not just attend but to help make this happen. We need volunteers to help with everything:

    • Youngsters are invited to decorate bikes and ride in the parade. Not-so-youngsters can build a float, organize a marching band, or act as a judge. This is your parade!  Please contact Ben Hulett (802-375-2527) with any questions regarding the parade.
  • Do you have “Shaftsbury Treasures” in your basement or barn that could be displayed, such as old machinery or vehicles?
 
  • Re-enactors to demonstrate weaving, spinning, sheep shearing, candle-making, musketry, butter churning, cheese-making, or just show everyday life of 250 years ago.
 
  • Running children’s games.
 
  • Setting up and cleaning up at all the events.

We also need financial support. Any donation, no matter the amount, will help and be much appreciated. Checks may be made out to the Town of Shaftsbury 250th Anniversary and sent to the Town Administrator, P.O. Box 409, Shaftsbury, VT 05262. Any funds remaining after the celebrations will go to support the Shaftsbury Parks.  Please call our Town Administrator at 802-442-4043 or Karen at 802-447-1950 to contribute or volunteer. Watch for news here, on  Facebook, and through the Shaftsbury Yahoo Group.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 Friday August 19 at Howard Park

  • 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  – Picnic/Music by the Contra-dance Band
  • 6:30 p.m. – Historical Remembrance
  • 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Contra-dance with caller
  • 8:00 p.m. – Lighting of Bonfire at Upper Field of Howard Park off Buck Hill

Saturday August 20

  • 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m – Pancake Breakfast @ Methodist Church sponsored by Bennington Boy Scout Troop 353
  • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Parade including town folk and children
  • 11:30 – Tree Planting at Cleveland Avenue Park as parade goes by
  • 12:00 – 3:00 – Historical reenactments, storytelling, quilting, pottery, more.
  • 3:00 – 7:00 pm – Street Carnival on Cleveland Ave. and Church Street – vendors, food, antique cars, children’s games, activities
  • 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Firemen’s Chicken Barbeque at firehouse
  • 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Street Dance on Cleveland Avenue – music/dancing 

Sunday August 21 at Galusha Homestead

  • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Anne Bugbee as Harriet Tubman on the Underground Railroad in Shaftsbury
  • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Barbecue chicken dinner, $10. Limit 100.
Merchandise still available at Cole Hall and at Shaftsbury County Store:

250th Anniversary Glasses $3

T-shirts and tote bags $10

Sponsors

Event Flyer

Photos at google: tms2