Townie Association Bringing Back 'Mayor of Charlestown' Race

The race to become the new “Mayor of Charlestown” is officially on, and the prize is not only bragging rights but also a trip for two to Ireland.

Sponsored by the Townie Association, the event is being revived after about a 20-year hiatus and is one of many activities being organized for Charlestown Pride Week, leading up to Battle of Bunker Hill Day on June 17.

“The Mayor of Charlestown race stopped around 1993 or 1994, and we’re bringing it back this year,” said Sean Boyle, who is helping to organize the event. “The last time this was done a lot of us were in strollers.”

Though the title is honorary only—and has nothing to do with the race to replace Boston Mayor Thomas Menino this fall—past recipients have worn the title with pride, Boyle said. The last person to be dubbed “Mayor of Charlestown” was Debbie Lang, who still lives in town along with many other past Charlestown mayors.

Candidates must be 18 years or older and have been a resident of Charlestown for at least three years. Each individual must collect 25 signatures from Charlestown residents, to be submitted this week with his or her application, along with two letters of recommendation—also from Charlestown residents—and proof of address. In addition, each candidate will be interviewed by the Mayoral Committee.

Applications are due Saturday, June 1 and can be submitted by email to townie.association@gmail.com; by mail to 39A Tibbetts Town Way, Charlestown, MA 02129; or handed to a Mayoral Committee member.

Once an application has been approved, the candidate will receive ballots to sell to supporters for $1 each, with the proceeds to go to the nonprofit Townie Association. Ballots can be sold through “election night,” which will be held Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. at Eden Park. Whoever sells the most ballots will win the title of “Mayor of Charlestown.” All ballots must be submitted by noon on June 13.

Also that night, there will be a drawing of one winning ballot—each ballot gives the purchaser a chance to win $500, Boyle said.

Along with the one-year honorary title, the Mayor of Charlestown will win a trip for two to Ireland and will march in the 2013 Bunker Hill Day Parade on Sunday, June 16. The job has no legal responsibilities but does comes with a few requests: The Mayor of Charlestown should attend at least four Charlestown Neighborhood Council meetings and should attend at least three community events for Charlestown nonprofits during his or her term, Boyle said.

There is a limit of three mayoral terms per individual.

For applications, sponsorship opportunities and other information, call Sean at 617-784-4519 or Caitlin at 617-519-3347.

A copy of the application materials and contest rules can also be viewed and downloaded as a PDF in the image gallery above.