Riverhead turns 225 in 2017, and town board and committee members have been brainstorming ways to celebrate the anniversary in style.
Two of the biggest events tentatively planned so far are a Colonial Ball next year on June 9 and a downtown parade celebrating the town’s history the next day on June 10.
The town is eyeing the historic Suffolk Theater as a location for the ball, and they’re hoping to sell around 400 tickets.
“I don’t think we’ll have any trouble getting 400 people there,” Town Supervisor Sean Walter said. “The Suffolk Theater sells itself.”
The parade would be the morning after the ball, with a proposed theme of “Red, White, Blue and YOU.”
“For the parade we could have antique, horse-drawn fire department vehicles, antique cars, local couples who have been married for 50, 60, 70 years,” Councilman Tim Hubbard suggested.
Councilman Jim Wooten suggested the town look for descendants from the region’s founding families to march in the parade.
In addition to marchers, the parade plans include floats and music.
“We’ll name a grand marshal, but I think we should open it up to the community to get some ideas for who that should be,” Hubbard said at this morning’s town board work session.
“I have a great recommendation,” said Councilwoman Jodi Giglio.
“Me too, and I have a feeling we’re thinking of the same person,” Hubbard said. “I think Richard Wines would be perfect.”
The other town board members agreed enthusiastically.
“Richard does so much for the historic district and landmark designation. He works very hard — he doesn’t have a secretary to do minutes for him, he does it all himself,” Giglio said.
Among other suggested events are concerts, a souvenir calendar sale, historic exhibits, local tours and reenactments. Events are being planned by a volunteer committee formed by Town Historian Georgette Case.
The town is also currently seeking submissions for a logo contest to commemorate the milestone. They’re looking for logos that “creatively describe Riverhead.” The deadline is June 30. As of today, no logo designs have yet been submitted, Hubbard said in an interview after the meeting.
The town is also looking for photographs of Riverhead through the years, preferably taken prior to 1935, Hubbard said. The photos will be featured on a commemorative anniversary calendar for 2017, which the committee plans to have available for sale at the Riverhead Country Fair in October. Contact Hubbard at 727-3200 x223 or x253.
Of course, volunteers are also needed to help plan and coordinate the anniversary events, Hubbard said.
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