HATFIELD — While Hatfield successfully kicked off its latest milestone anniversary with a New Year’s gala, a parade that was to be among the highlights for 2020 is being pushed back to the final day that the town will still be 350 years old.
“That’s a very unique and fitting tie-in,” Robert Betsold, a member of the Hatfield 350th Anniversary Committee, said of the May 30, 2021 parade, which is supposed to be held in conjunction with the town’s Memorial Day parade.
The rescheduling of the anniversary parade from June 13, 2020 is just one of many changes necessitated by following state guidelines related to social distancing and the size of crowd gatherings. Betsold said the committee is trying not to cancel any events, but rather is hoping to hold them either virtually or postpone them to later in 2020.
“It’s certainly been an adjustment for us,” Betsold said.
The next big occasion, Incorporation Day on May 31, is one of the events being moved to a virtual celebration. It recognizes the day in 1670 that the General Court of Election held in Boston approved Hatfield to be a township separate from Hadley.
Instead of bringing the community together, the online event will feature video recordings of speakers making short speeches and a reading of the original proclamation for when Hatfield was founded. The video will be shown online and on the local cable access channel.
In addition, residents are welcome to submit videos, up to 15 seconds apiece, congratulating Hatfield on the anniversary. These can be sent to hctv@TownofHatfield.org by May 29 for inclusion in a separate video.
Incorporation Day’s reenactment of the crossing of the Connecticut River, which would have involved officials from Hadley, will be moved to a date to be determined. Betsold said the replica boat hasn’t been able to be completed yet.
So far, the other affected events include the Historic Homes Tour, which has been moved from April 25 to July 18, the Farm-to-Table Dinner, moved to July 23, and the Farm 5K Run/Walk, moved from May 16 to coincide with the Summer Celebration Aug. 22. The annual Strawberry Festival has been canceled.
The remaining schedule is intact so far, including the Sept. 12 Barn Mural Wagon Tour, the Oct. 3 Tractor Parade and Harvest Festival, which will now include Cow Pie Bingo, and the Dec. 19 Luminarium and fireworks show.
As easing of restrictions in the state occurs, Betsold said the plan is for signs and banners to be displayed around town and vendors to begin producing the commemorative T-shirts, caps, buttons, and other memorabilia.
The committee will also be upgrading the large 2,000 pound cake, made from PVC plastic-covered wooden panels with 350 electric candles, that has been on display at Smith Academy Park.
“We thank all businesses and partners that have stood by us,” Betsold said. “The community has been really phenomenal.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
