GILEAD – This town of more than 150 people has planned a party Saturday to celebrate its 200th birthday.
From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. people will have a chance to learn of the former Peabody Patent’s history, take a ride on a caboose, listen to musicians, watch a parade, play games and visit with their neighbors.
The Gilead Bicentennial Committee has been planning the event for just about a year. Money for the celebration was raised at town meeting and through many fund-raisers.
Gilead is situated near the intersection of routes 2 and 113 and is near or on the banks of the Wild and Androscoggin rivers. It was settled in the 1770s mostly by people from Massachusetts. It was incorporated as a town on June 23, 1804, the same date Andover became a town.
According to local historians, the name was chosen during the town’s incorporation because of a grove of Balm of Gilead trees, a species of fragrant poplar, growing near what was to become the center of town. Several of these trees still grow in Gilead at the state park picnic area along Route 2.
The day’s events begin at 9:30 a.m. when the first of five round-trip railroad rides from Gilead to West Bethel take place. Reservations are required for the two remaining seatings by calling Gale Tout at 836-2900.
At 10 a.m., a parade will start at the old schoolhouse on Route 2, then travel to Bridge Street. Among the participants are the Shriner’s Funsters riding their mini-cars, bicycles and firetrucks.
From noon until 5 p.m. at the Town Hall, people may visit historical displays that include photos, artifacts and other memorabilia. A recently written history of the town, “The Smile of Providence: A History of Gilead, Maine,” will be on sale. It was written for the bicentennial by Howard Reiche and Hugh Chapman. A second book of historical photographs will also be available.
A variety of food and craft items will be set up all day along Depot Street. Then, from noon until 5 p.m., local musicians will perform at Depot and Bridge streets.
A chance for children to play games takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the rear of the Town Hall.
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