DEERFIELD — With 350 years of Deerfield history to celebrate, it’s only fitting that the town throws a huge party, capturing the essence of the town’s history, heritage, cultures and landmarks, for the community to enjoy.

The celebrations will be held Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18, with a parade, fireworks and a chicken barbecue. The family-friendly events are organized and co-sponsored by the town’s 350th Anniversary Committee, 350th Parade Work Group, Recreation Department and the Friends of Deerfield.

“It’s going to be a really fun time for everybody,” said 350th Parade Work Group Co-Chair Holly Lankowski.

The celebration kicks off on Saturday at 2 p.m. with the parade, which is expected to last around one hour and 45 minutes to two hours. Lankowski and fellow Co-Chair Kelly Charest said there will be approximately 100 different groups from across the Pioneer Valley, along with 10 marching bands and local officials participating.

Joining those groups will be public safety departments and town government representatives from around the county, as well as U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, state Rep. Natalie Blais, state Sen. Jo Comerford, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan and state Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, a Deerfield native. Residents Tom Clark and Bob Decker will serve as parade marshals.

“They both have given years of service to our community,” Lankowski said of Clark and Decker, with Charest adding they “tried to be as inclusive as possible” with the parade.

Local organizations, like the South Deerfield Women’s Club, will also be marching, along with historic reenactors and the renowned Joseph A. Ferko String Band from Philadelphia.

The parade route begins at the South Deerfield Water Supply District and will proceed up Sugarloaf and North Main streets to Frontier Regional School. Suggested parking locations are the Leary Lot, Frontier’s north staff parking lot, the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, between the 1888 Building and the South Deerfield Congregational Church, and Merrigan Way at Pilot Precision Products. Handicap parking will be available at Greenfield Savings Bank and Tilton Library.

Parking is prohibited on the parade route, Thayer Street, Graves Street, the Police Station, Deerfield Elementary School, Frontier’s main lot and Pelican Products. More parking information from the Deerfield Police Department can be found at bit.ly/3N6BsCT.

Frontier Community Access Television (FCAT) will livestream the event on its YouTube page for those who are unable to make it.

Following the parade, the Friends of Deerfield and the Recreation Department are organizing a family event at Deerfield Elementary School from 5 to 9 p.m. with games, bounce houses, pony rides, face painting and other activities for children. Friends of Deerfield Treasurer Chris Harris said they will also be serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda and ice cream.

“It’s very oriented to the kids,” Harris said, noting the event ends at 9 because organizers “want people to get situated for fireworks viewing.”

To close out the evening, the Friends of Deerfield will be sponsoring a fireworks show that will kick off promptly at 9:30, with a warning shot at 9:28. The fireworks — from Montpelier, Vermont-based NorthStar Fireworks — will be launched from the southernmost end of Tree House Brewing Co.’s property. Harris said the best viewing areas are Frontier or Tree House, however the fireworks should be visible at Deerfield Elementary School, too.

Tickets are required to park and watch the fireworks at Tree House. They are $5 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3X2K8im.

In the event of rain, a fireworks rain date is set for Sunday night at the same time.

Deerfield’s 350th celebrations end on Sunday with a chicken barbecue from noon to 8 p.m. at the Deerfield Academy Tennis Pavilion. The event will feature live music, children’s events, a cash bar and raffles. However, tickets are required. Harris said the event is sold out, but there are some seats that may be freed up in the coming days. To join the waitlist, call Stan Adams at 413-665-4858.

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