The old girl is having a big birthday and the cake would be a sight! Can you imagine a cake large enough to support 375 candles. Whoa! If that were possible, we would probably give it a try. That being unrealistic, many fun events are planned to celebrate the 375th Anniversary of date the Town of Sandwich was incorporated. This is also the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Cape Cod Canal, but that's another blog. Bottom line is, we have a lot to celebrate in 2014. |
| Old Town Burial Ground |
Sandwich is the oldest town on Cape Cod and, we locals think, the most quaint of the many villages and towns here. The oldest home on the Cape, the Hoxie House, is also here in our lovely village. The richness of the
history is evident in the architecture of the homes and other structures and
historic sites throughout the village. The entire village has been declared a
historic district and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The
heritage of our country lives on every block and along every street and
pathway. A walk through the Old Town Burial Ground is an education in the lives
of the families who founded and grew the town.
Volumes have been written about Sandwich's history and anyone interested can visit the Town Archives for historical information. The purpose of this blog is to let readers know what is going on in celebration of this auspicious occasion.
Planned events are occurring throughout the year with concerts and a speakers series. There will be musical events, art shows, theatre performances, festivals, and parades. Many of these activities are free and are for the entire family to enjoy. A full list of events can be found on the 375th Anniversary website.
The "Talk of the Town" speakers series began in February at the Sandwich Glass Museum's Hirschmann Theater. This series runs throughout the year and a complete list of speakers, topics, and information is on the website.
The BASH (Bring Alive Sandwich History) series will feature separate events celebrating the 1600's, 1700s, 1800's, and 1900's with re-enactments and other activities highlighting Sandwich's participation in historical events of those eras.
A juried Arts & Crafts shows featuring a lot of local talent will be held on the grounds of the Sandwich Public Library on Saturday throughout the summer.
In June, the celebration continues with "Heritage Days" on June 14th and 15th. The festivities open with the "March of the Descendants." Descendants of the original families of Sandwich will be heralded by church bells, songs, and proclamations in honor of the contribution made by these early settlers. The two-day event will include a town picnic, a cupcake competition, music, and games.
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| SandwichFest |
The "1700 Bash" is being held on June 21st, and will feature a Minutemen Encampment, horse-drawn carriage rides around the village, and a theatrical performance on the historic Town Hall stage entitled "The Body of the People" telling the story of the Tories and the Patriots.
With July comes warmer weather, bigger celebrations, and lots of excitement in the village and along the waterfront. On July 19th, there will be a Civil War re-enactment that portrays the involvement of Company D of the 29th Massachusetts Volunteers at Camp Chipman. The festivities include a Soldiers and Sailors March and a re-enactment of the 1861 ceremony sending the first military unit from Cape Cod of to fight the Civil War. There will be food, a quilt show, burial grounds tours, and horse-drawn wagon rides around the village.
July 26th is SeaFest! Attend an old-fashioned clambake down on the Cape Cod Canal with music and dancing afterward. This day-long event will include the Parade of Lights on the Canal, shanty music, a chance to tour ships that will be docked on the Sandwich Marina and much more.
Sandwich Village will be hotter than ever in August when the Water Street Wing Fling takes place on August 2nd and 3rd. There will be hot air balloon rides, a classic car show, kayak races, a food garden, and musical performances.
On August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, one of the most exciting and unusual events ever to take place in Sandwich will be conducted by PaintScaping. This extraordinary group of talented folks use 3-D light projection to transform architectural structures into animated art. They will transform the First Church on Main Street in Sandwich into something spectacular right before your eyes. This is really a once-in-a-live-time opportunity.
August 23rd brings the 1900's Bash with a "Cavalcade of Classic Cars" from each decade of the century, walking tours of the village, a concert, and a block party on Jarves Street.in Sandwich. Attendees have the opportunity to taste and vote for the "Best Sandwich in Sandwich" and enjoy a street fair, and musical performances.
The featured event for the month of September will be the "Grand Parade" to take place on the 13th that will celebrate the 375th Anniversary. October will feature "Ye Olde Spirits of Sandwich Masquerade Ball" on the 24th along with a witch parade, a scarecrow contest, and graveyard tours - all in the spirit of the Halloween season.
These are just a few of the planed events that celebrate Sandwich's bountiful heritage. There are many others focusing on the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Cape Cod Canal. All of these events are in addition to the usual summer activities in the village. We hope you will choose this year to come for a visit. Our Cape Cod bed and breakfast inn is the perfect place to stay. It is located in the heart of historic Town Hall Square and within walking distance to many of these activities.
We have some very affordable packages that will make your visit an enjoyable one. Just give us a call or book online. We hope to see you in 2014.
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