Whately to mark 250th with motor parade

WHATELY — Although celebrations for the town’s 250th anniversary have been postponed to next year, a motor parade through town next month will serve to mark the occasion.

“Our official incorporation date is April 26, and although we’ve postponed the full celebration until 2022 — when we can have the party we want to have safely — we wanted to do something to celebrate the real 250th anniversary this year,” said Susan Baron, a member of the 250th Anniversary Committee.

The motor parade, which is being organized by the Fire Department, will make its way through town on Saturday, April 24, at 3 p.m., beginning at the Town Offices and ending at Herlihy Park.

“There will be tractors with wagons; I’m sure there will be a couple floats,” said Fire Chief John Hannum. “The whole thought process is people could advertise their businesses a little bit, and have a good time riding around town.”

The police, fire and EMS departments will be involved, he said, and any business or organization is welcome to participate. The Whately Grange and Whately Congregational Church — which also turns 250 this year — plan to be involved as well.

The route is roughly 17 miles and will weave its way through town, Hannum said.

“We’re still in a pandemic,” he noted. “So no crowds.”

Following the advice of the Board of Health, the Whately 250th Anniversary Committee had voted in January to postpone to 2022 the events its members had hoped to schedule for September of this year. Baron also said the committee will encourage residents to decorate their front doors in time for the parade.

“As the mobile parade is going through town, the town itself will look festive,” she said.

Those who decorate their doors will be asked to take photos for social media, and the photo with the greatest number of “likes” will be recognized by the 250th Anniversary Committee. The full celebration, she noted, is scheduled for June 18-26, 2022.

“We’re back to putting together events for that,” Baron said.

Local businesses and organizations that want to participate in the mobile parade should email Hannum at JSHannum@comcast.net.