March 15 was the official observation of Maine’s 200th anniversary of statehood. The United States Postal Service was scheduled to launch the official Maine bicentennial commemorative stamp.
As the speaker’s designee, I have been a member of the Maine 200 Bicentennial Commission for the past year. I joined many respected leaders of Maine who had already done much planning. March 15 was to serve as the kickoff to many events throughout 2020, including the following:
The Community Grant program is potentially the most meaningful success of our bicentennial commemoration. Thus far 173 bicentennial community grants have been awarded, and, before we’re done, we expect to award over $500,000 total to communities throughout Maine. The caliber of the projects has been excellent. The encouraged themes are “Living in Maine,” “The Business of Maine,” “Maine Leads,” and “The Maine Character,” but all entries are welcomed. The deadline for the third and last round of grant applications is June 1.
The first Blaine House Bicentennial Concert Series performance is scheduled for April 11 at Viles Auditorium in Augusta, featuring the Wailin’ Jennys. Maine’s Heather Masse is one of the featured members of the group. Maine Public has agreed to record the concert for later broadcast to all of Maine. The second bicentennial concert will be in Rockland on July 3.
The State of Maine Bicentennial Parade is scheduled for May 16 in Auburn and Lewiston. Poland Spring/Nestle is the presenting sponsor, and Casella Waste Management and Goodwill of Northern New England have volunteered to share sponsoring responsibilities for what is shaping up to be the largest parade in Maine’s history. Invitations were extended to every shire town in Maine to participate representing their respective counties. A multi-generational marching band is in formation, with nearly 100 members signed up so far, and the Maine Army and Air National Guard will be participating. The parade event has its own website: www.Maine200Parade.com.
Tall sailing ships are scheduled to visit Boothbay Harbor, Rockland, Bangor, Hampden, Bucksport, Searsport, Castine and Portland. The coast will be alive with ships under sail for the first three weeks of July. U.S. Navy vessels are also slated to visit Maine as part of the bicentennial at Calais, Rockland and Portland.
The University of Maine Composites group is designing the time capsule that will resemble the Dirigo star and contain the four compartments – one for 2020, then 2045, 2070, and 2095 before the 2120 opening. The capsule will be installed in the Maine State Library as one of the final events of 2020.
The month of August begins with the meeting of the National Governors Association in Portland, and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels precision drill air team in Brunswick scheduled for Aug. 14-16.
A new curriculum-sharing program is a source for all teachers across Maine, helping them to more easily and readily incorporate Maine’s history into their lessons during this 2020 school year. Teachers can submit bicentennial focused lesson plans so that other teachers can then implement into their own classroom. There is also a small monetary prize for the best lesson plan. The program can be found at https://www.mainememory.net/bicentennial/education.shtml.
In October the bicentennial will emphasize Maine-based technology in an event called Innovation Expo, a future-focused event for the public. The end of the bicentennial will also feature the sealing of the time capsule.
Please keep tagging us @OfficialME200 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube with anything you would like to share relating to the bicentennial. As we enter our third century of statehood, it is good that we celebrate what we love about our great state.
For more information on events and/or cancelations, visit Maine200.org and check out our daily calendar.
Christopher W. Babbidge Maine House District 8, Kennebunk.
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