Uxbridge 300th committee lays out events, vendor rules and a condensed weekend schedule

The Uxbridge 300th Anniversary Committee on a regularly scheduled meeting reviewed and refined plans for a series of town events spanning March through July as the town prepares to mark its tercentenary.

Committee member Alexa Romasco said "We're booked for March 6," confirming a deposit and venue arrangements for a celebratory ball at Arrowhead Acres. Committee members discussed entertainment, catering and bartending logistics and noted Arrowhead maintains an approved list of vendors and bar license holders; vendors not on that list would require additional venue approval.

Why it matters: Committee members emphasized concentrating marquee activities into a single weekend in June to maximize attendance and reduce calendar fatigue. The draft sequence includes a March 6 ball, a May 29 muster, a June 20 Riverbend Farm concert and family day, June 26 fireworks (noted as sponsored on the record by Premier Real Estate), and a June 27 parade, cake on the common, speakers and a time-capsule opening, with a final community event in July. "If we can capitalize, it's a weekend," a committee member said in support of the consolidated approach.

Committee members also discussed a range of community engagement projects tied to the anniversary: historical walking tours and a lecture series, a pop-up children’s book concept, internships to assist with dedications, and a coin design contest for middle and high schools. The committee agreed to involve local schools in merchandise and patch design and to consider BVT (Blackstone Valley Tech) and local graphic programs for artwork and production.

Historic and interpretive work drew support from the Historic Commission. Susan Franz, chair of the Historic Commission, described a pilot marker project and a proposed granite medallion for the town common, saying the commission has "the design work done" and is soliciting bids; installation will require coordination, including crane access. The pilot marker is intended to commemorate the African Americans who were enslaved in Uxbridge, Franz said, and the commission is seeking local fundraising support for material costs.

Finances and approvals: Select Board member John Wise told the committee $50,000 has been appropriated for the 300th and reiterated the committee’s obligation to present recommended expenditures and any solicited donations to the Select Board for approval. He added that some deposits — including the Arrowhead payment discussed at the meeting — must be processed consistent with Select Board rules and town procurement practices.

What’s next: Subcommittees for the ball, parade, memorabilia/merchandise, historic events and community outreach will continue planning; the committee set a regular monthly meeting cadence and will return to finalize vendor contracts, funding requests and logistics in coming sessions.