Bicentennial Flag Raising Ceremony

On Tuesday, July 30^th at noon, the Town of Falmouth will join communities across the State of Maine in celebrating Bicentennial Kickoff Day by hosting a Bicentennial Flag Raising Ceremony. Bicentennial Kickoff Day coincides with the 200^th anniversary of the affirmative vote to separate the District of Maine from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in July 1819. The ceremony will take place in the Town Hall parking lot in front of the flagpole. The ceremony will include the raising of the Bicentennial Flag by members of American Legion Post #164, the singing of the National Anthem, and remarks by town and state officials. A reception will follow in the Council Chambers where attendees can enjoy refreshments, view the Story of Falmouth exhibit, and receive free copies of the recently published book Building Communities, which explores Falmouth’s history through the story of the newly restored Edward LaSalle’s 1940 map painting of Falmouth hanging in Town Hall.

Once part of Massachusetts, Maine became the 23^rd state admitted to the Union in March 1820. Governor Janet Mills stated, “Maine has a proud and storied history, and our bicentennial offers us the opportunity not only to honor it, but to recommit ourselves to the values that shaped us as a state and as a people.”

Visit the Maine200 Bicentennial Commission website at www.Maine200.org to find out more about the events that will take place across the State during the next year and to get involved in the commemoration.  For more information on Tuesday’s ceremony in Falmouth, contact Erin Bishop Cadigan at ecadigan@falmouthme.org or 207-699-5346.