Local residents planning the city’s 150th celebration got lots of advice last Wednesday when two veterans of the Houlton bicentennial celebration offered words of wisdom during a dinner meeting.
One strong suggestion was that if interested residents have a “great” ideas, planning committee members should let them run with it.
“Let them take ownership for it,” said Joyce Fitzpatrick of Houlton, chairman of the shiretown’s 200th birthday celebration.
A central committee is there to keep work on track and spur progress along, Fitzpatrick said.
“You can’t do it all,” she said.
Fitzpatrick cited one resident who decided to make commemorative coins to sell during the 2007 observance. Another example was the quilt guild in Houlton that coordinated its annual quilt show with the celebration, Fitzpatrick said.
About two dozen people came to the meeting, held at the Chan Center, to solicit participation in Caribou’s 150th celebration in 2009. The walls were plastered with multi-colored sheets of paper with scores of suggestions for activities during the celebration, such as fiddling, a marathon race between Caribou and Presque Isle, a community church service and lumberjack contests.
Cyr said that the planning committee has received a “wealth of ideas.”
“Part of our job is to whittle them down,” he said.
The anniversary committee also is holding a contest for a logo and theme for the celebration. Entries may be submitted to the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry by Jan. 31.
Fitzpatrick and Lori Weston, executive director of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce, discussed several activities that worked well for that town’s celebration. The Civil War reenactment by the 20th Maine Regiment was popular as well as an opportunity for residents have their antiques appraised. Similar to the public television program, “Antiques Roadshow,” the Thomaston Place Auction Gallery came to Houlton to look at residents’ items and appraise their value for a small fee. While the gallery does the service free of charge, the funds generated support for the celebration’s activities, according to Weston.
A brochure advertising the celebration also should be distributed to points as far away as Kittery as a lure to potential tourists.
“Once those things get out, people start calling,” Weston said.
Other popular items were a DVD of Houlton’s history, a cookbook that included historical information, and a keepsake calendar featuring paintings of historical sites by a local artist. Those items, including mugs and coins, continue to be hot sellers, Weston said.
While the dates for the Caribou anniversary have been tentatively set for Sept. 3 through 7, 2009, Cyr said those dates may need to be reconsidered since school will be back in session during that time.
Those in attendance last Wednesday were invited to sign up to work on various subcommittees for the celebration. A message board and other information regarding the 150th observance are available through the chamber office and its Web site at www.cariboumaine.net.
One strong suggestion was that if interested residents have a “great” ideas, planning committee members should let them run with it.
“Let them take ownership for it,” said Joyce Fitzpatrick of Houlton, chairman of the shiretown’s 200th birthday celebration.
A central committee is there to keep work on track and spur progress along, Fitzpatrick said.
“You can’t do it all,” she said.
Fitzpatrick cited one resident who decided to make commemorative coins to sell during the 2007 observance. Another example was the quilt guild in Houlton that coordinated its annual quilt show with the celebration, Fitzpatrick said.
About two dozen people came to the meeting, held at the Chan Center, to solicit participation in Caribou’s 150th celebration in 2009. The walls were plastered with multi-colored sheets of paper with scores of suggestions for activities during the celebration, such as fiddling, a marathon race between Caribou and Presque Isle, a community church service and lumberjack contests.
Cyr said that the planning committee has received a “wealth of ideas.”
“Part of our job is to whittle them down,” he said.
The anniversary committee also is holding a contest for a logo and theme for the celebration. Entries may be submitted to the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry by Jan. 31.
Fitzpatrick and Lori Weston, executive director of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce, discussed several activities that worked well for that town’s celebration. The Civil War reenactment by the 20th Maine Regiment was popular as well as an opportunity for residents have their antiques appraised. Similar to the public television program, “Antiques Roadshow,” the Thomaston Place Auction Gallery came to Houlton to look at residents’ items and appraise their value for a small fee. While the gallery does the service free of charge, the funds generated support for the celebration’s activities, according to Weston.
A brochure advertising the celebration also should be distributed to points as far away as Kittery as a lure to potential tourists.
“Once those things get out, people start calling,” Weston said.
Other popular items were a DVD of Houlton’s history, a cookbook that included historical information, and a keepsake calendar featuring paintings of historical sites by a local artist. Those items, including mugs and coins, continue to be hot sellers, Weston said.
While the dates for the Caribou anniversary have been tentatively set for Sept. 3 through 7, 2009, Cyr said those dates may need to be reconsidered since school will be back in session during that time.
Those in attendance last Wednesday were invited to sign up to work on various subcommittees for the celebration. A message board and other information regarding the 150th observance are available through the chamber office and its Web site at www.cariboumaine.net.
