9304-R4_NewGloucester_2024-2025_AnnualReport_Web

Fairgrounds for additional set up. Tom had reached out to Greg Verga, the mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts, back in May. He was very excited to join us, as earlier mayors had done for our past celebrations, and was fresh off celebrating their 400th anniversary in 2023. He arrived with his wife Kellie and a few friends that Friday afternoon, and spent the weekend at the Wilson House at Pineland Farms, who generously offered the house free of charge. And the gang from Gloucester fittingly rode in the Pineland Trolley during the parade the next day. Saturday September 7th - the 250th anniversary of our 1st town meeting! It was time for New Gloucester's 250th Community Celebration and Fair! Dozens of packed vehicles arrived bright and early at the NG Fairgrounds, unloaded, and set up several tables and tents, as over 60 vendors, crafters and community groups were represented. Meanwhile, down by the Congregational Church, Steve Libby was assembling the parade participants. Judges Karen Gilles, Jean A. Libby, and Doug Smith, inspected the more than 30 entrants who were staging along the edge of Church Road. At 9:30 sharp they hit the road, with Steve and Tom once again in their colonial attire (and this time wearing colonial wigs) leading the way from Church Road to the fairgrounds, ringing bells and shouting “Hear ye, hear ye! Happy 250 th !”. Immediately behind them was a veteran of many parades through the decades: the town's original fire truck. The sounds of the antique horn and siren drew smiles from everyone. Hundreds of spectators lined the 3-mile route, and the parade was welcomed at the fairgrounds by hundreds more. Attendees were greeted at the Historical Society's double tent at the entrance and enjoyed their display of many town artifacts, centered around the Foxcroft Pung, and gladly signed the NG250 guestbook, while purchasing 2025 calendars for $5 and 250 th commemorative coins for $10. U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who energetically walked the entire parade route, presented the Historical Society with a souvenir coin and presented Town Manager Bill Kerbin a U.S. Flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of our 250th anniversary. Tom presented her with the new 2025 calendar and NG250 coin on behalf of the Historical Society, along with a signed Images of America - New Gloucester book, before she rushed off to another event. Three days later, the Congressional Record published a report she submitted about our history and her participation in our celebration. G- NG Diamonds Cheering gave a demonstration at 10:45am, while New Gloucester’s own Jim Gallant performed music throughout the morning. NG250 Committee Chair Linda Chase, in her colonial dress, handled the bike raffle table, as Jeff & Joyce Hamilton once again provided bicycles for the kids to dream of winning. Field Day Games ran from 11am to noon, while the “Kidz Zone” was busy all day long. At noon, everyone’s attention was drawn to the front of the music tent, where Jen Bragdon delivered a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem as the Boy Scouts marched in with flags. Librarian Emily Martin revealed the winners of their coloring contest, and the first winner of the bike raffle was announced. Tom had arranged for guest speakers for the afternoon celebration at the fairgrounds, and had the honor of introducing Steve Libby, Bill Kerbin, Beverly Cadigan, Matt Sturgis, Halsey Frank (who filled in for Susan Collins), State Representative Amy Arata, Brother Arnold Hadd, and Mayor Greg Verga. The first five speakers began at the end of the noon break, with the popular “Money Hunt” occurring after. Country Roads, who were kind enough to share their sound system with the many speakers, performed their award-winning music throughout the afternoon. The free T-shirt tie-dye station at the Pavilion began at 1pm and was a big hit. Another break took place at 1:30pm, with the 2nd winner of the bike raffle announced.

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