Burlington will celebrate its 225th anniversary on Feb. 28, 2024, and the Burlington Historical Society and the Select Board are beginning the preparations now.
In its Feb. 27 meeting, the Select Board discussed involving school history classes, Boy Scout troops and local businesses in planning and executing the 225th anniversary celebrations, which could range from a parade to fireworks to a historical trolley ride around town.
Wayne Higden, who volunteered with Burlington’s Bicentennial Committee in 1999, said COVID-19 set back the planning and preparations for the 225th anniversary celebrations, so residents should expect smaller festivities this time around.
“I went digging and found everything the committee from the 200th did,” said Select Board Chair Nick Priest. “That time around, the biggest concern the board expressed was a lack of bodies. It’s hard to get enough people to put something like this together.”
To alleviate the burden on overstretched officials and a smaller volunteer corps, Select Board members suggested designing a logo and branding, and asking other departments to incorporate the branding into their own events in 2024.
Select Board members agreed with Higden’s proposal to name the year “Burlington 225,” to fit with national branding for America250, the United States’ upcoming milestone in 2026.
The Select Board expects to vote on a proclamation naming 2024 Burlington’s 225th anniversary year at its upcoming March 13 meeting.
As an aside, Select Board Member Mike Espejo wished Burlington a happy 224th birthday on Feb. 28, 2023, joking, “You don’t look a day over 178.”
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