Local community groups invited to join the celebration.
Frederick, Md (KM) Beginning next year, there will be a series of celebrations marking the 275th Anniversary of the city of Frederick. Mayor Michael O’Connor made that announcement Monday during a news conference at City Hall. “We are inviting all of Frederick and the Frederick Community to join the story of Frederick’s history, and the future as we rejoice in this 275th,” he said.
The Mayor also says these events will be for all citizens of all ages, and be the most inclusive. “We’ve taken an emphasis in this administration to really highlight diversity and inclusion as being important element of what it means to be a part of the Frederick community,” he says.
In addition, local community groups have been asked to take part in these celebrations. . “We are looking to organizations to join these celebrations, to get their events sanctioned,”: he says. “There are forms and additional information available on the city’s website. You will be able to submit that information to us.” (www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/275)
In his news conference, Mayor O’Connor announced a steering committee has been formed to lead with the planning of these events. The members are Daryl Boffman, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Frederick County Public Schools; John Fieseler, Executive Director, Visit Frederick; Chris Haugh, Community Relations and Historic Preservation Manager, Mount Olivet Cemetery; Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Celebrate Frederick; Kari Saavedra, Museum Manager, Rose Hill Manor; Gayon Sampson, Executive Assistant to the Mayor; and Rick Weldon, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Frederick County.
Mayor O’Connor said some of these individuals were on the steering committee which help organize the city’s 250th Anniversary celebrations in 1995. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” he says. “We have a lot of people who were around 25 years ago who were part of those celebrations. We have a lot of new people in our community and want to get involved. And so our task now is to marry the best of the ways which we’ve done this in the past with the many residents and the new people who are here.”
Beth Gura, who was coordinator of the 250th Anniversary celebrations in 1995, will take over the same task for the 275th Anniversary celebrations. “I am over-the-moon thrilled to be back serving the city of Frederick,” she said. “I am delighted with this executive steering committee. It’s really a dream team of volunteers.”
The Mayor says some of the events which could “branded” as part of the 275th Anniversary are the Dropping of the Key taking place along the Carroll Creek Linear Park on December 31st, 2019, to usher in the New Year, an event sponsored by the Civitan Club; and the July 4th Celebrations at Baker Park. He also wants to get the Frederick Keys involved.
The 275th could also be paired with another event taking place next year. “2020 is also the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II. And that affords us the opportunity to a special kind of recognition for our veterans and those who served,” says the Mayor. “That’s always been a real hallmark of this community how we have celebrated and provided great support for those who served our country.”
As part of the news conference, Mayor O’Connor unveiled the motif for the City’s 275th Anniversary. It features the Clustered Spires and the Maryland flag.
There will also be a product line of shirts, pins and coins commemorating Frederick’s 275th Anniversary.
More information about the 275th Anniversary celebrations can be found at www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/275.
By Kevin McManus