Maytowns 250th birthday

Maytown, PA
1760-2010


 Maytown 250th mirror button


 Maytown 250th large crock


 Maytown 250th license plate





Maytown, PA 17550

Maytown Historical Society









Maytown 250 Event - HOME -
Maytown 250 Event
PO Box 96
Maytown, PA
17550
 

















Anniversary Celebration
April 29th, 30th, May 1st, 2nd, 2010

     Maytown, East Donegal Township, Pennsylvania was founded on the first day of May in 1760. In 1910, its citizens marked the 150th anniversary with an "Old Home Week" celebration that records show drew over 5,000 people. The organizers contacted former residents from all over the United States, many of whom returned "home" for the event. Fifty years later in 1960, Maytown held its 200 - year "Bi-Centennial" observance with a highly successful four-day slate of events, July 1, 2, 3, and 4. In 1985, led by the newly-formed Maytown Historical Society, the 225th anniversary was observed with a more abbreviated, yet very appropriate program.

     In May of 2010, Maytown will be 250 years old! Envisioning a celebration worthy of the 250 year mark, approximately 60 citizens comprising nine different committees met early in 2008 to begin making plans for the historic event. An ambitious but "doable" celebration program has been set and the various committees are cuttently in the process of making it all happen. Given the current financial, political, and social climate, building a better sense of community is a very beneficial goal. This is our opportunity to do just that. Please get involved with us and help make this happen!

     This site is intended to inform you about all that has been planned as well as to enlist your financial, personal, and moral support. Please look over the site and if interested in helping us, respond in the manner that you are able. We are confident that we have planned an event that has something for everyone, is appropriate for the occasion and the economic times, and also promotes pride in our community.



Overview of Events

     Our 250th celebration program is scheduled for Thursday, April 29, 2010, through Sunday, May 2, 2010, with events planned each day. The four day celebration includes general exhibits, food, music, Maytown Elementary School children presentations, children's programs, church service(s), and fireworks. The Event Program Committee has developed an ambitious and diverse program of events and activities to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Maytown. These events and activities include but are not limited to:

  • Opening and Closing Ceremonies on the historic Town Square
  • Concerts including "Rock 'N Roll Time Machine", a Showcase of Bands, Children's Entertainment, and "The Lancaster Pops Orchestra"
  • Historical Presentations by Maytown Elementary grade school students
  • Live drama with the presentation of the play "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder
  • Athletics and sports program planned and sponsored by the Maytown Youth Organization
  • Dog agility demonstrarions by Canine Companions
  • Maytown Sport Parachute Club demonstrations
  • Parades, including a "Fun Parade"
  • Dancing on the Square including Square Dancing, the local Raven Studio, a Civil War era troupe of ballroom dancers and the traditional Maypole Dance
  • Town Dance with local DJ Stan Tucker, dancing in the town square
  • Ecumenical Church Services
  • Fireworks Display
  • On-going Historical Impersonators and Battle Re-enactors



Event Info

MAYTOWN 250th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PROGRAM
THURSDAY, APRIL 29 THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010



THURSDAY, April 29th

Noon to 4:00 p.m. - Four Maytown Historical Society exhibits and several art exhibits will open at various locations around town and the Fire Department will hold an open house at the station.

5:00 p.m. - Supper featuring Harvey's Barbecue will be available on the square.

6:00 p.m. - A gala opening ceremony on the square will feature special music, dignitaries, keynote address, program orientation, and the introduction of event participants.

7:30 p.m. - The Union National Community Bank presents "Rock and Roll Time Machine," an exciting band that plays favorites from the 50's through the 90's, in concert on the square stage.




FRIDAY, April 30th

Noon to 4:00 p.m. - Historical and art exhibits open.

12:00 Noon - Maytown Elementary School students will attend (and produce) a special "wax museum" program at the Harvest Community Center illustrating aspects of Maytown's history. The public is invited.

7:00 p.m. - Noted local theater professor Jim Johnson will direct Thornton Wilder's famous drama "Our Town" on the square stage. The performance will feature top local actors and crew members.




SATURDAY, May 1st

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Union National Bank open house.

9:00 a.m. to dusk - The Selin's Rifle Company, a revolutionary war re-enactment group from New York, will set up an encampment display along North River Street and will remain open through Sunday.

9:30 a.m. - The Maytown Youth Organization will present a varied program of sports and athletics at the Fuhrman Park fields and pavilions. Also scheduled are demonstrations by the Maytown Sport Parachute Club and Canine Companions dog agility and flyball teams.

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Historical and art exhibits open, Fire Department open house.

1:15 p.m. - Meet Sally Hastings, Ben Franklin, Abe Lincoln, James Buchanan, and others on the square stage.

2:00 p.m. - The Boy Scout Fife and Drum Corps and the York Kiltie Band will each present a half hour concert on the square stage. Special children's activities and entertainment will follow.

3:00 p.m. - Special children's programs (unique games and crafts) on the square.

4:00 p.m. - A "Dancing on the Square" program will feature the Raven Studio dancers, a local square dancing troupe, and the traditional Maypole Dance. During this time frame, Maytown's 250th birthday cake will be cut and consumed!

7:00 p.m. - River Street Restorations of Maytown presents popular DJ Stan Tucker for a rousing town dance on the square.

After dusk - The Selin's Rifle Company will offer a lantern camp tour.




SUNDAY, May 2nd

10:00 a.m. - Maytown pastors will lead an ecumenical church service from the square stage featuring the community chorus.

Noon - 4:00 p.m. - Historical and art exhibits open, Fire Department open house.

Noon - 2:00 p.m. - Lunch featuring Harvey's Barbecue will be available on the square.

12:00 Noon - Arnold Pontiac of Maytown presents the Matt Goss Band in concert on the square stage.

12:45 p.m. - Special appearance by Simon Cameron (impersonator) on the square stage.

1:00 p.m. - The Selin's Rifle Company will stage a shooting and drill demonstration on the square.

2:00 p.m. - Children's magic show presented by "The DreamMakers" on the square stage.

3:00 p.m. - Additional children's activities (games, crafts, puppets, etc.) on the square.

4:30 p.m. - The closing ceremony on the square stage will once again offer special music, introductions and audience-participation activities.

6:30 p.m. - The renowned 45-piece Lancaster Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Rick Staherski, will close out the town center activities with a performance on the square stage.

8:30 p.m. (or dark) - A spectacular fireworks display at the American Legion Park under the direction of Brian Bachman of Schaefer Pyrotechnics, Inc. will close the celebration program.



OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE "MAYTOWN 250" EVENT

·· A food court of local vendors along West High Street, offering a wide variety of sandwiches, drinks, desserts and specialty items (good eating!)

·· A variety of unique event souvenirs (clothing, pottery, baskets, special artwork, etc.)

·· A beautiful, locally written and professionally published, 178-page book that brings together many priceless photos from various periods in Maytown history (over 400 photos!)

·· Many former residents of Maytown have been located and formally invited back "home" to participate in the 250th celebration activities

·· Live, historical character impersonators (Simon Cameron, Ben Franklin, Sallie Hastings, Thaddeus Stevens, Abraham Lincoln, etc.) will interact with attendees

·· A professionally constructed stage located in front of the Three Center Square complex from which most major events will take place (it can accommodate all but the worst rainstorms and the Maytown Elementary School gymnasium/auditorium is the alternate site in case of exceptionally bad weather) - residents should bring lawn chairs to all events on the square

·· The formation of a community chorus, under the direction of Robert Hiestand and accompanied by Keith Smith, which will participate in the opening and closing ceremonies and the Sunday morning church service

·· An original musical composition honoring the 250th anniversary written by Maytown's own Amy Chapman which she will perform at the opening ceremony

·· Special presentation about Maytown author Sallie Hastings by Violet Covert, author of "Reflections of a Grass Woman"

·· A home front-door decorating contest with prizes

·· Decorative anniversary banners placed on poles around town

·· Printed directions and info for a self-guided walking tour of Maytown


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