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photo courtesy of Maureen SmilowOne year ago Smithtown began celebrating its 350th Anniversary. Thursday, March 3 at 4 p.m at Town Hall, 99 W. Main St., Smithtown the celebratory festivities end with the burial of the 2015 Time Capsule. The contents of the time capsule have been sealed and will not be opened until 2065.
The public is invited to attend the time capsule burial ceremony which will include comments by Town Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio and Town Historian Bradley Harris.
The yearlong activities inovolved thousands of Smithtown residents, many of whom learned about Smithtown’s rich history for the first time. We celebrated the oldest Smithtown resident and the first baby born in Smithtown in the anniversary year. A record number of tickets were sold for a 350 gala that was held on one of the snowiest days recorded. There was an original play and an old fashioned board meeting where the contents of 1965 Time Capsule were revealed. There was a parade with thousands of participants and a firework spectacular at Sunken Meadow State Park where 23,000 enjoyed a spectacular show.
Smithtown celebrated life in 1665 and life in 2015. The celebration was not only about history, but it was also about our young people and their connection to their home town. Young people participated in record numbers beginning with a logo competition, art contest, trivia contest and essay contest. There was a pool party and an old-fashioned pie-eating contest.
Tomorrow closes out the celebration and you are invited to share in Smithtown’s history, 4 pm at Town Hall, 99 West Main St., Smithtown.