Community Corner
Bicentennial Committee Plans Year-Long Celebration
Plans to commemorate the town's Bicentennial in 2013 are already underway.
Two years may sound like a long way off; however 2013, the year of the Livingston Bicentennial, is quickly approaching.
On Monday night, members of the Livingston Bicentennial Committee appeared before the council to introduce plans for the town's Bicentennial celebration in 2013.
The group, which is headed by Scott Maynard and vice-chaired by former Livingston mayors Ellie Cohen and Arlene Johnson, has spent the past year planning a moneumental celebration to commemorate the 200th anniversary since Livingston was officially established as a township in 1813.
Find out what's happening in Livingstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The committee drew praise from Deputy Mayor Steve Santola, who serves as the council liaison to the group. "To say that these committee members have a jump on things would be an understatement," he said.
"Bicentennial 2013 is probably going to be the biggest event that this community has ever seen," said Maynard, who also chaired the township's 175th Anniversary Committee.
Find out what's happening in Livingstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Initially, the committee started out small; however interest to participate grew exponentially and a need developed to create sub-committees. "You can't realize how many people are so thrilled about this project and have come to us and begged to get involved," said Maynard.
Rather than hold one single event, the committee plans to have a year-round celebration of Livingston history come 2013."What I find the most fascinating is that we're not just going to have a dance or a party; they [Bicentennial Committee] have thoughtfully planned out a year's worth of activities all the way across the board," Santola said.
Each month will have a dedicated theme, including the environment, arts and volunteerism, explained Cohen.
One of the key dates during the Bicentennial year is Founder's Day, which will be a town-wide celebration on February 5, 2013 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the issuing of the township charter, Cohen said.
Maynard pointed out that on top of everything else the committee is in the process of creating an official website, as well as collecting township artifacts for display in various exhibits.
"Livingston will be noted nationally for what we are planning to do," he said.
