By Grace Allen

It may be a year away, but planning has already begun for Wrentham’s 350th anniversary. The town was founded in 1673 and January 2023 will usher in a year of festivities to commemorate and celebrate the historic milestone. 

A specially formed committee has already set the dates for three major celebratory events to take place next year:

• To kick off the anniversary year, a breakfast honoring the town’s oldest residents is scheduled for Sunday, January 8, 2023 at the Senior Center.

• “The Grand Parade” through town, replete with both local groups and professional marching bands, will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

• The year’s festivities will culminate in a gala ball on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Lake Pearl Luciano’s.

Other events are still in the planning stages, including fireworks and the ceremonial burying of a time capsule on the town’s common.

E. Grey Almeida, one of the committee members tasked with planning and organizing the anniversary year’s events and activities, says groups and organizations in town are invited to contact the committee with their own ideas on how to mark the anniversary. 

“We’re encouraging any group that wants to organize an event to reach out to us and we will help promote it,” said Almeida. “This is the community’s celebration, and we need as much input as possible. The more people are involved in the planning, the more they will enjoy the entire year.”  Wrentham has a rich and varied history and was the home of Indigenous peoples for many hundreds of years. The town was considered part of Dedham before its incorporation on October 16, 1673. It was named after Wrentham, England, and is the only town named Wrentham in the United States. 

The 350th anniversary committee hopes the year-long celebration will honor the town’s history and celebrate its legacy while giving residents something to look forward to, especially after the last two years.

As for the pandemic and its ability to derail even the best-laid plans, Almeida said the committee is proceeding as if COVID will be in the rearview mirror next year. Members are cautiously optimistic events can be held safely by then or altered in a way to make residents feel more comfortable.

“We are really hoping COVID will be gone by 2023, and then there will be no better way to come together as a community.” 

To contact the planning committee, or for more information, visit https://wrentham350.com. For updates, residents can subscribe to the planning committee’s newsletter by signing up on the website or by following the group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wrentham350) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wrentham350/).

The 350th anniversary committee meets at the Fiske Library every Wednesday at 4 p.m. Any resident is welcome, and the agenda as well as meeting minutes are posted on the group’s website. 

Corporate, family, and resident sponsorships are available.