Community Corner

PHOTOS: Memorial Day 2012

The Bicentennial celebration featured a parade, a time capsule and a picnic!

 

Memorial Day was really something to remember this year, with a big, splashy Bicentennial parade, a town picnic and even a Time Capsule from 1962!

The parade had an impressive turnout.  It seemed everyone from the Bloomfield community was represented, from the armed forces to township officials, police and fire departments, schools and churches to the Historical Society, sports teams, charitable organizations and special interest groups.

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The parade began at Brookside Park and ended at the Town Green. There, a large tent with a stage was set up and people gathered for prayers, speeches, music and poetry.  The ceremony was a moving tribute to those who fought in wars, some of whom never returned.  A red, white and blue floral Memorial Day wreath was placed at the base of the Broad Street monument accompanied by a 21-gun salute. 

"We are steeped in history.  We have a tradition in this community, of people loyal to their country," said McCarthy in his remarks.  "We have had a war every decade.  The men and women who serve our country make it better for us each and every day."

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The parade had a Bicentennial theme this year, with members of the Bloomfield Bicentennial Committee dressed in period costumes for the town's 200th birthday.  Historical figures were represented by Committee members who dressed up as Governor Bloomfield, his wife Mary and a soldier from 1812. 

A unique interlude at this year's Memorial Day celebration was the opening of the "Sesquicentennial Time Capsule."  The capsule, a square metal box that had been buried in the ground for the past fifty years, was opened by Mayor Raymond McCarthy -- with some help from Bicentennial Chairperson Janice Litterio and Bloomfield Recreation Department Chairman Mike Scuerman.  While Bloomfield High School's Class of 1962, who originally buried the box, looked on, members of the community pressed forward excitedly to see what the capsule contained.

It turned out to be memorabilia of the era, such as vintage 45-rpm records, sheet music with song lyrics and a scrapbook/ photo album.  The audience applauded appreciatively, laughing.  

Following the opening of the Time Capsule was a community picnic.  All town residents were invited to enjoy free hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, baked beans, salads and drinks.  Colorful, inflatable rides decorated the Town Green, as well as a "cooling tent" that sprayed welcoming cool water mists in the 90-degree heat.  Kids played happily on the Green while volunteers served food to the hungry parade-goers, who stood in a long winding lunch line that stretched out into Broad Street.


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