Staff Writer
Two hundred free tickets are now available to any interested Caribou residents who would like to witness the official proclamation of Caribou’s 150th Birthday Celebration, which will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday April 5, at the original “Union Meeting House,” so called in 1857, now the Unitarian-Universalist Church., located at the corner of Main and Grove streets, on the south side of the Caribou Stream. Prior to the construction of Lyndon’s (the original name of our village) ‘Union Meeting House,’ civic meetings, church services and often times school functions were held in barns or in the second-story of one of the few stores located within the village center.
Following the addition of three adjoining plantations, Letter I, Sheridan and Eaton Grant (1860-1870, the township grew rapidly and along with this growth came the enlargement of many congregations and therefore the need to build various meeting places throughout the village. The state later turned over the deed to the Union Meeting House, now known as the Unitarian-Universalist Church, to Caribou.
On Aril 5, Mayor Ken Murchison and Caribou’s City Council members along with representatives from various political offices will officially announce the 150th Birthday of Caribou. It is anticipated that all city officials participating in this proclamation will be attired in the appropriate period clothing. Others attending are encouraged to also portray the fashions of that time, helping to create a true picture from Caribou’s past. The church bells will ring 15 times, beginning at precisely 2 p.m.; each bell toll representing a 10-year period of history.
The two hundred tickets are available on a first come, first served basis only, due to limited seating in the church. These free admission tickets are available at the Caribou Public Library, the Caribou Health and Wellness Center or at the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry office. It is requested that anyone who isn’t sure if they will choose to attend this Sesquicentennial event, not take a ticket, in fairness to those who do wish to be present.
During the proclamation program, music will be provided by the Caribou Middle School Chorus, directed by Vicki King. Following the official signing of the proclamation, the church bells will ring and a tea and fellowship time will be held. Refreshments available will include, tea, coffee and punch with cheese and vegetable platters.
Witness the Sesqui-celebration’s Proclamation Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. Share in a time when we recognize the adversity our ancestors struggled through; celebrate who we, the citizens of Caribou, are today. Relive a bit of Caribou’s past and become a part of history in the next 150 years.
It’s Caribou’s 150th Birthday — Be a Part of It!
