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Sudbury 2 50 organizers lay out events, warn of budget gap as state support falls through
Summary
Sudbury 2 50 committee presented a slate of town events for 2025–2026 (Patriots’ Day activities, Wayside Inn events, July 4 float, Knox cannon celebration) and said a $25,000 town allocation plus modest merchandise revenue won’t cover higher-cost items; committee leaders are pursuing sponsorships and state grants after a $50,000 House proposal was removed in conference.
Radha Gargea, chair of the Sudbury 2 50 committee, told the Select Board on Dec. 17 that the volunteer committee has assembled a full calendar of commemorative events for 2025–26 but faces a material funding shortfall if it includes higher-cost attractions such as a drone display.
Gargea said the committee received a $25,000 allocation from the board and has spent about $3,500–$4,000 on merchandise so far, recovering roughly $700. She said the Massachusetts House twice proposed adding statewide 2 50 funds, but the money was removed in the Senate and conference committee process.
"We ordered the Sudbury 2 50 merchandise," Gargea said. "We spent about, I think, $3,500 to $4,000 for the merchandise, and we may have sold about $700 or so." She added that a drone display — which vendors priced at roughly $25,000 — would “immediately put us in the red.”
The committee previewed major events including a Minuteman send-off on Patriots’ Day (April 19), evening performances at the Wayside Inn, a Sudbury 2 50 day after town meeting with arts and food, a July 4 float and a Knox cannon commemoration (tentatively Jan. 25 or Sept. 25). Gargea said the committee will prioritize lower-cost items and pursue local sponsorships, grants and merchandise donations if state funding does not materialize.
Select Board members asked about school involvement and accessibility: Gargea said she has met with SPS Superintendent Brad Crozier and PTO chairs and discussed essay and performance competitions for students. Lisa Kuchacan urged the committee to consult the Commission on Disability to ensure venues and events are accessible.
The board asked staff and the committee to continue pursuing state grant windows and local sponsorships and to provide a refined cost breakdown when available. The committee requested the board consider a contingency free-cash warrant article if outside funding is unavailable, but several members said they prefer sponsorships and grants before requesting town funds.
The Select Board did not approve new funding at the Dec. 17 meeting; members asked the committee to return with updated estimates and fundraising plans in January.
