It all began this spring with the idea to apply for grant monies from the state to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary. Celebrate Holliston’s grant writer Nicole Lessard sent off a request for the millions up for grabs from MOTT (Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism).
While word of grants success had been expected in May, organizers and planners didn’t receive an answer until July that the request had been denied.
Historical records reveal that Holliston’s efforts for independence were substantial from sending 78 men to Boston on April 19th, 1775, to housing Paul Revere’s family during the revolution in the west end of town. And lest we forget Staples Chamberlain the town moderator who marched on Fort Ticonderoga and made a months long journey to supply Holliston’s soldiers in the Continental Army stationed in Albany N.Y. and Valley Forge with supplies in the dead of winter on a buckboard. So what is a historical town like Holliston to do when snubbed by MOTT in celebrating our country’s 250th birthday. Kind of reminds you of the way Ottawa Canada treats its western provinces such as Alberta who is threatening to succeed from our northern neighbor.
Cooler Holliston heads prevailed and decided to “go it alone” in marking our independence from Britain. The first shot across MOTT’s bow was a concert at Blair Square Saturday night August 16th by the Claflin Hill Symphony Winds Orchestra, dedicated to Holliston’s minutemen and Continental Army. Like a fine sausage it was a coalition of Holliston organizations that came together to fund the concert.
American Legion Post 47, Celebrate Holliston, Holliston Newcomers and Neighbors, and VFW Post 8507 all came together to put the money where their mouths were and honor Holliston’s sacrifices during the revolution.
The concert was attended by a larger crowd Saturday night with perfect weather than last year’s event for the town’s 300th anniversary/ It’s estimated that over 375 people attended the performance.
Conductor Paul Surapine’s orchestra played a number of patriotic songs. Surapine told the audience that he had recently returned from Washington D.C. and he was impressed by the monument to WW!! Veterans. It was my wife’s birthday and it was either a diamond ring or the trip to the nation’s capitol. Songs included a selection by entertainer and WW!! Veteran Glenn Miller who died when his plane went down over the English Channel.
If nothing else a portion of the community came together Saturday night for music rather than the events of 1775 which assembled Hollistonians together for a far greater purpose. Enjoy your freedom. Thank you to the evening’s sponsors who sounded a shot heard around the town.
