INDUSTRY – The people of Industry have something to celebrate. This Friday, the town will reach a major milestone – its 200th birthday.

Centered around the shimmering blue waters of Clearwater Lake, Industry has endured some tough times over the past 200 years as the town’s mill industry has come to a near standstill.

Town resident and historical society president Bob Burton is happy the town has hung on this long, and he thinks that’s reason enough to celebrate. “We’ve had a lot of changes over the years,” he says, reminiscing.

“We’ve struggled and battled, but thankfully we still haven’t become an unorganized territory. Hey, it’s our birthday and since we’ve made it this far, people should recognize it.”

The town has put much effort into planning and carrying out its big bicentennial bash, which starts this Friday and picks up steam July 4-6. Taxpayers raised and appropriated $5,000 at the annual town meeting these past two years, giving the Bicentennial Committee $10,000 to work with. So far, they are under budget.

“Everyone is looking forward to a pretty bang-up time,” says Burton cheerfully. Although he’s not on the committee, he and his wife, Helen Foster, along with members of the historical society, have put together a 167-picture book featuring more than 300 photographs that chronicle the life of the town. It will be on sale for $16.

Burton says the event is a chance to reflect on the town’s past and get excited for its future. “We should be proud of our past and how this friendly little community has come through the years. It’s a quiet, friendly town where people know people. Hopefully, the next two centuries will be as promising.”

Two other towns in the greater-Farmington area, Wilton and Temple, are celebrating their 200th birthdays this summer, and Burton says each party is a chance to show off each town’s uniqueness.

It’s no surprise then, that much of Industry’s festivities center around its pride and joy, Clearwater Lake. Many townspeople say it’s the lifeblood of Industry.

Town Clerk Cathy Frazier has thrown herself wholeheartedly into planning for the event. Now, she is just hoping everything goes as planned and Mother Nature shows her support for the town by sending some sunshine as a 200th birthday gift.

The bicentennial is an opportunity, she says, to bring everyone together and, unlike the annual town meeting where many argue over money, just celebrate and have fun.

It’s also a time where older people in town who have been written into the pages of history get a chance to share their stories.

For more information about the celebration, contact the Industry Town Office at 778-5050.

[email protected]