'This couldn't have been better:' Chaplin celebrates Bicentennial
Sep. 13—CHAPLIN — If the Town of Chaplin had made a wish when it blew out the candles on its 200th birthday cake, it must have wished for perfect weather for its Bicentennial celebration held Saturday. And that wish came true.
The temperatures were an added bonus for attendees of the day- long event, which started with a parade in the morning and ended with fireworks in the evening, with a huge slate of activities in between those shows.
" We planned this date so long ago, and we had a rain date, but all along I've been thinking 'no rain, no rain, no rain,'" said William Rose IV, who, although retired now, was first selectman when the Bicentennial Committee was first formed and began planning events back in 2019. " This couldn't have been better."
Local and state dignitaries attended the event at Edward Garrison Park. Chaplin was named for Deacon Benjamin Chaplin, who, upon his death in 1795, bequeathed funds for the establishment of a meeting house that be more central to the settlement along the Natchaug River, so that his neighbors wouldn't have to travel all Sunday in order to attend church in surrounding communities.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz participated in the 10: 30 a. m. parade, which proceeded from Chaplin Street to the park, with many vehicles decorated like birthday cakes. State Senator Dan Champagne, State Representative Susan Johnson and State Representative Doug Dubitsky read proclamations. Officials from the surrounding towns of Hampton, Mansfield and Windham also attended, invited in a tribute to each of those towns giving a portion of land to form the Town of Chaplin back in 1822.
Chaplin's Poet Laureate Adelaide Northrop, read an original poem " Idylls of the Town;" the poet laureate position was created by the Bicentennial Committee especially for the anniversary. All Chaplin's living former first selectmen joined current First Selectman Juan Roman III in a recognition ceremony.
" It's been so nice," said former First Selectman Eugene Boomer, who led Chaplin from 1997 to 2003. " It's a perfect day."
Different bands played throughout the day, including Branded- Country that Rocks, Three57, the Chaplin Ukulele Band and the Babcock Cornet Band. Demonstrations of martial arts, wood- chopping and spinning yarn on a spinning wheel were held; children could participate in various contests, races and a scavenger hunt; and adults could join a yoga session. Food trucks provided refreshments and vendors offered wares for sale, some of them themed to Chaplin.
The Chaplin Democratic Town Committee provided free caricatures by Party Cartoons on commemorative vintage- looking scrolls, while the Chaplin Republican Town Committee offered " I Love Chaplin" shirts. The Bicentennial Committee booth had T-shirts with an anniversary design.
Bicentennial Committee member Ann Lewis said the town's birthday was a true community event.
"It's a chance to see people you don't normally see too often," Lewis said.
A map of the town was marked out on one of the fields, and all in attendance were asked to stand in the approximate location of where they lived now or in the past for a group photograph taken by drone. Signs in the field indicated the town's original seven school districts, before a consolidated elementary school was built:
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