Guilford 375th Anniversary Committee Seeks Financial Support of Residents

The following press release was provided by the Traci Brinkman, Public Information Specialist:

The Guilford 375th Anniversary Committee is appealing to residents to help support the year- long celebration of Guilford’s founding in 1639 by becoming patrons. The money raised will be used to fund five signature events that will take place beginning on December 31, 2013, and throughout 2014.

These events, which will have broad appeal to all ages, are Guilford’s Generations Jubilee, a family event with a noise parade, arts and crafts, bonfire and fireworks display on New Year’s Eve Day, December 31, 2013; the Crystal Ball, a black-tie gala with dinner and dancing at the Guilford Yacht Club on March 29, 2014; a reenactment of the Civil War and Guilford’s role in it with an encampment on the Guilford Green, performances by professional actors and a sound and light show on May 31, 2014; the Covenant/Trail Weekend, a dual celebration commemorating the signing of Guilford’s covenant and the dedication of the New England Trail, highlighted by a parade, tours, hikes and much more on June, 6, 7 and 8; and finally, a Fife and Drum Muster on the Guilford Fair Grounds, complete with period costumes, in October 2014.

To fund these events and meet its goal of providing Guilford residents, their families and friends with a year of history, education and fun, the Guilford 375th Anniversary Committee needs financial assistance. As a thank you to its supporters, the Committee will publish their names-- unless they choose to remain anonymous--in the souvenir Guilford 375th Anniversary Commemorative Book marking the town’s milestone anniversary. Anyone who donates $25 or more will be allotted a message space of 75 words.

No professional fundraisers or fundraising organizations are involved in soliciting support, nor is the Town of Guilford using any taxpayer money to pay for the events.

The Guilford 375th Anniversary Committee, as well as all the subcommittees associated with the events, is made up entirely of volunteers, who have already donated thousands of hours to provide the people of Guilford with a year they will remember. Among them are Committee Chairperson Veronica Wallace; Committee Vice Chairperson and Guilford Economic Development Coordinator Brian McGlone; Anita Catardi; President and CEO of Guilford Savings Bank Margaret Livingston; Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Testa and more than 100 Guilford residents to date who have stepped forward to become involved in the celebrations.

To make the festivities a reality, the Guilford 375th Anniversary Committee urgently needs money to meet expenses involved in the arrangements. If you are able to donate, please contact the selectman's office 203-453-8021 or visit the guilfordct375.org website and make a contribution. However, if circumstances do not permit you to provide financial assistance at this time, and/or you would like to participate in the events by volunteering, please complete the form on the website.