Southborough tricentennial committee outlines parade, family-day programming, muster and time-capsule plans

Members of the Town of Southborough Tricentennial Committee used the Feb. 11 meeting to advance planning across several signature events while flagging outstanding logistical and budget questions.

Faye School family-day: Michelle reported that Faye School has offered to host a 'Family Day' for children ages 5–8 that would include a story hour, a 'then-and-now' photo project using upper-school students and crafts in the school's makerspace. The committee tentatively selected Saturday, Feb. 20, 10–11 a.m., for the event and discussed making the student photo work available for a later public display at the library or town hall. "Faye has that capability, and they've just offered it," Michelle said, describing the school's ability to help with registration and programming.

Parade planning and budgeting: Committee members reported recruitment progress and the acquisition of a recent participants list from a neighboring city. They asked the working group to return with itemized cost estimates for paid participants (some quotes described as "a few thousand" to "tens of thousands") and to prioritize smaller acts if budgets are constrained. Members cautioned against committing a large unspecified sum without clearer cost–value data.

Firemen's muster and demonstrations: Organizers confirmed the muster date is secured and asked the committee to consider a preliminary budget to cover prize money and other fixed costs. The committee discussed demonstration areas, volunteer support and the possibility of vendor or artisan spaces to draw attendees.

Time capsule and podcast/storage research: A working group summarized options for a time capsule or curated archival stores (above-ground vs. buried), preservation needs (silica gel and special packaging for photos/documents), and a draft timeline: identify partners by June 2026, secure confirmations by November, assemble content by April 2027, prepare grounds through the summer and host placement or ceremony in October (with the town incorporation date, July 6, discussed as an alternative). The group will consult other towns and emergency-management staff about safety and storage trade-offs.

Other items: The committee advanced an awareness-days social-media campaign concept (with raffle or donated gift-certificate incentives) and discussed a proposed month-long 'GLOW Sobo' lights festival as part of the tricentennial calendar. Fundraising updates noted that the Friends group is actively soliciting sponsors and that the committee will coordinate closely with them to avoid conflicting sponsor priorities.

Next steps: working groups will return with itemized budget estimates for the parade and muster, the planning office will be asked to take the banner bylaw draft to the planning board, staff will follow up with emergency-management and DPW about safety and logistics, and the committee reconvened Mar. 11 with packet deadlines to be circulated in advance.