Published: 8/8/2021 5:27:39 PM
WHATELY — A giant candle placed on an enormous (but inedible) cake by a crane outside the Fire Station kicked off the town’s 250th birthday festivities Friday.
The event was the second birthday celebration this year for Whately, which held a parade in April to mark its incorporation date of April 26. The full celebration will be held in 2022 in anticipation of a lessened coronavirus threat.
Susan Baron, co-chair of the 250th Anniversary Committee, estimated 150 to 200 people attended the event. She said the turnout was great and brought a great variety of residents to the celebration.
“This is amazing,” Baron said. “It’s such a cross-section of Whately, from the teeny babies to senior citizens. … It’s the kind of event everybody can come to.”
Residents cheered when the lights on the cake were lit and free ice cream was provided by 5J Creamee. Children were given goodies and got to sit inside the fire trucks.
Baron said she was happy to see the town respond to the celebration and there will be more fun next year.
“It was a huge success. It’s nice to see the town excited to turn 250,” Baron said. “We’re busy planning a wide range of events for next year.”
Susan’s husband and Whately Selectboard member Fred Baron said it’s nice for everyone to gather because the town does not exactly have a downtown area. He thanked 5J Creamee for providing the ice cream and echoed his wife’s comment that next summer will be full of fun events to celebrate the town.
“We have lots of great things planned for next year,” he said.
The town’s full celebration will be held in June.
Whately resident Cathy Mitchell said it was a great night for the town to have the celebration. She joked and said it was her second time seeing the cake because it was used for Hatfield’s 350th celebration as well.
“It’s a beautiful night for an ice cream social,” Mitchell said. “I think we’re all trying to take advantage of any social activity.”
Fire Chief John Hannum noted Friday’s event was held outside the Fire Station because of its “centralized” location in town.
“There is a lot of support in this community,” Hannum said. “They’re ready to party.”
Town Clerk Amy Schrader, who brought her young children, wanted to thank the organizers of the “amazing” celebration along with the Fire Department, 250th Anniversary Committee and 5J Creamee.
“It’s really nice to see the community,” Schrader said. “It’s a great start for the 250th events.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.
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