PENDLETON — Plans are coming together for Pendleton’s bicentennial celebrations, with several activities and projects in the works, starting with Pendleton Day, scheduled for April 18.
It will be “a day to honor, celebrate the town” said Jessica Smith, a member of the town council and bicentennial committee — a.k.a. the 1820 Society — tasked with planning the town’s 200th anniversary efforts.
Smith said during a recent committee meeting that a proclamation regarding the bicentennial and establishing Pendleton Day will be read during the Pendleton Town Council meeting, set for 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 13, at town hall, 100 W. East St.
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Also planned for today’s council meeting is the unveiling of the bicentennial logo, which is being designed by The Flatland, the Indianapolis advertising agency that several years ago developed the town’s branding package, including town logo, stationary package, website, vehicle graphics and signage.
Another firm date to mark on the calendar is Sept. 13 — the day after the Heritage Fair — which will be the main bicentennial celebration in Falls Park, including a community dinner.
The bicentennial committee has been meeting with community organizations to discuss plans for the year, including the development of legacy projects and programs — efforts intended to have a lasting positive impact on the town and residents, Smith said.
Heritage Fair is an example of a legacy project, started 50 years as part of sesquicentennial celebrations, by the aptly named Century and a Half Club. The club disbanded last year, handing off Heritage Fair to Friends of Falls Park to run.
“The bicentennial committee wants to help organizations plan and promote activities for the bicentennial year,” Smith said in an email.
Groups that want to do a project or program must apply to the committee for endorsement, which brings with it promotional assistance, including the use of the logo and other materials.
To receive endorsement, a project or program must be: open and accessible to the public; relevant to the town’s becentennial; fundable (without the committee’s support); and achievable.
A project or program must also meet at least one of the committee’s recommended goals or characteristics: culturally inclusive, creating a legacy for the future; celebratory; and engaging and inspiring to youth and young adults.
The committee will not endorse individuals, such as candidates for public office, or political organizations.
“If a group or individual wants to do something for the bicentennial year, but doesn’t want to commit to a project, we are gathering a list of items in which donations can be contributed to, such as park benches, recycle receptacles, bike racks, etc. in the downtown and park.”
The committee also is still selling patron pages for a bicentennial book titled, “A Celebration of Pendleton, 1820-2020 — Then and Now.”
Local businesses, churches, schools, organizations and families can submit written histories for publication, buying either a full page or half page, color or black and white. Cost ranges from $195 to $500.
For more details about bicentennial projects, programs or the book, contact Smith at [email protected].
The bicentennial committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
