New Britain Township celebrates its 300th anniversary this year, and the board of supervisors has plans to make it a year to remember.
The supervisors last month approved recommended plans to celebrate the tricentennial anniversary. Made by the recently formed Tricentennial Committee, the recommendations detail plans previously proposed by the board, including commemorative memorabilia, floats for the July 4th Parade, a display at the Annual Fall Festival and a fireworks show.
The new commemorative merchandise includes cups, t-shirts, tote bags, and Christmas ornaments adorned with a brand-new 300th anniversary logo. The logo displays a coat of arms containing a bundle of wheat, a bricklayer’s trowel above a small brick wall, and more icons depicting the township’s rich history. It is supported by two large deer and has a sun peeking out from the top. Below it are the words “Building on tomorrow while preserving yesterday.”
The July 4th Parade is planned to feature two floats pitched by the Tricentennial Committee. The first planned float will feature all 27 American flags made since 1723, the year that New Britain Township was first founded. The committee hopes to have local veterans ride the float, but if none are available, a band will take their place. The second float will feature reenactors in 1723 garb surrounding a giant birthday cake.
The Annual Fall Festival is set to display an interactive timeline containing a wide variety of pictures and objects that depict various parts of the township’s history. Already, the Tricentennial Committee has placed a deposit down on a tent and tables to reserve space for the timeline when the festival arrives. Additionally, reenactors will be hired to set up an encampment at the festival, and feature many displays of their own.
The final event planned for the year will be the fireworks show, currently scheduled during an event that is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The fireworks themselves are to be provided by Pyrotecnico, and the event will be fully sponsored by local law firms Begley, Carlin, & Mandio, and Gilmore & Associates.
The Tricentennial Committee was given a preliminary budget of $20,000 to fund these events. It proposes allocating $4,000 for commemorative collectibles, $3,000 for July 4th parade floats, $5,000 for the Fall Festival, and $8,000 for the fireworks show.
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