There are still several months left in 2019 to celebrate the Essex Bicentennial, but if there was a weekend that was the hook to hang the celebration’s hat on, this was it. Last weekend, it was stock full of events, all things "Bicentennial."
The kick off to the weekend was late afternoon in Memorial Park, where a series of food trucks set up shop behind the Police and Fire stations at 5 p.m. Residents were told to come early, and come hungry. Martin Street was closed to traffic, and people started to arrive with beach chairs and bags, ready to enjoy the gorgeous summer night with yummy foods from shaved ice and whoopie pies to falafel and burritos.
Then, at dusk, the big show of fireworks set over the marsh. Onlookers were stunned by the display as they lounged on blankets and chairs at the park. The fireworks display were so large they were heard – and seen – in neighboring towns. It was fantastic … only to be topped the following day with the long-awaited Bicentennial Parade.
The route pass from Burham’s Corner to Western, Westerm to Winthrop, Winthrop to Martin, and then from Martin to the intersection of Western. The parade was “rain or shine”, but with the streets lined to see the seemingly endless floats from teams, businesses, clowns and fraternal organizations, it was clear: the weather didn’t matter to these folks.
Finally, on Sunday, the weekend ended with a lovely luncheon reception at Town Hall for all Essex residents over the age of 80. In all, 140 residents RSVP’d, so there were two seatings to accommodate them all. This event, as with the others, went off without a hitch.
The twelve Bicentennial Committee members responsible for these affairs began planning these festivities back in 2014. Chairman Dawn Addison Burnham, Diane Polley, Kurt Wilheim, Mary Wilheim, Robert Coviello, Laura Doyle, Laurel Eisenhauer, Sue Lufkin, Emily Bougette, Susan Parady, Julie La-Fontaine and Heidi Jackson Dean. All of them should be commended for an incredibly successful weekend. There’s more to come. But it feels good to take stock now, and say, “Congratulations, and thank you.”
