Planning for Francestown’s 250th anniversary celebration is underway, including the formation of a town-wide scavenger hunt.
“It was my bright idea,” said Town Historian Priscilla Martin. “It’s an awful lot of work already.”
Martin and a small group of other residents on the 250th Anniversary Committee have been working on the scavenger hunt for a year, and plan for it to range all around town, with questions related to the Heritage Museum, The Beehive, the cemetery, the town office and more.
The hunt will be held from June 1 to 23.
“There’s not going to be anything that people can’t find,” Martin said. “Just study, and keen observation.”
There will also be clues to be found in town history books and town reports. Martin said the group intends to set up a display in the library for one of the hunt’s main questions, where searchers can sit and research for the answers.
“We want people to work for this. We like the idea that you’re going to learn some history,” she said. “You should be willing to look something up.”
Martin said the group wants to have prizes for many participants, so everyone will get at least something for participating, and members are working on collecting some, including a fishing pole, books and jewelry. Those kind of details will get nailed down once sign-ups are complete, Martin said, which will likely happen sooner rather than later so the organizers have a good sense of what needs to get done.
The scavenger hunt will coincide with other events, according to Town Administrator Jamie Pike. On June 25, there will be a huge town-wide celebration, he said, including a parade, an all-age carnival, a supper for all residents and fireworks. This is when winners of the scavenger hunt will be announced.
Festivities will continue throughout the summer, according to Pike, especially on Labor Day, when the town will see skits, sales from local artisans, food trucks and more.
“It’s just time for a good party,” Pike said at the beginning of the year as the town prepared for the 250th.
Martin said that more information would be coming on the scavenger hunt sign-ups soon, through the official Francestown 250th Facebook page. Those with questions should reach out there or to Pike at selectmensoffice@francestownnh.org.
“Stay tuned,” Martin said.