Mayor unveils York's 275th anniversary events
More than 30 events throughout 2016 will help York celebrate the city's 275th anniversary.
York's 275th anniversary began Thursday inside Central Market with the drop of a vinyl banner at Mayor Kim Bracey's request and a singing of "Happy Birthday."
The banner, complete with its own hashtag, #MyYorkCity, will be featured around the city at events throughout 2016 to mark the city's anniversary of being founded in 1741.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to share their favorite York moments throughout the year on social media using the hashtag, Bracey said during her remarks to people gathered at the market for the children's New Year's Eve countdown.
Whether or not more banners could hang from city lamp posts, however, hinges on sponsorship, Bracey said after making her remarks.
With a tight budget, the city would need a local entity to fund more banners to hang around town, she said, noting that 275th anniversary banners for decor would be an excellent idea.
"Most of the things we're doing will tag onto other events so as not to cost taxpayers anything but still celebrate our 275th year," Bracey told several reporters.
Events throughout the year will highlight the 275th anniversary:
January 2016
1 — First Friday, “Ring In The New”
16-17 — FestivIce Family Ice Festival
17 — Mayor Bracey’s MLK America’s Sunday Supper at Lincoln Charter School
28 — York Crafted PechaKucha talks, focusing on York’s crafters at LSC Design
February 2016
4 — My York City Art Show & Sale Art Lovers Preview at Marketview Arts
5 — First Friday, “I Love York City”
19 — Taste of York City Dinner at Yorktowne Hotel
20-26 — Restaurant Week York
March 2016
4 — First Friday, “Shop & Hop”
12 — York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
18 — YorVoice at the Strand-Capitol
April 2016
1 — First Friday, “Spring Fling”
23 — Go Green In The City
May 2016
May 3 to Aug. 30 — Box Lunch Revue lunch-time concerts in Cherry Lane
6 — First Friday, “Moms on Main”
8 — Olde York Street Fair
12 — Downtown First Awards
June 2016
TBD — Brews & Skews Party
3 — First Friday, “Block Party”
11 — History Untapped
25 — Big Idea Saturday Talks, Labs & Workshops
July 2016
1 — First Friday, “Christmas in July”
4 — York 4th Celebration at PeoplesBank Park
July 7 to Aug. 4 — Free Concert Series at Lincoln Park Thursdays at 7 p.m.
August 2016
5 — First Friday, “Sidewalk Sale”
27 — PA Cigar Box Guitar Festival
27-28 — Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival
September 2016
2 — First Friday, “Fashion Friday”
5 — York City Labor Day Parade & Events
23 — York Bike Night
October 2016
7 — First Friday, “Harvest Fest”
9 — Farm to Table City Dinner
16 — Oyster Festival
29 — Masquerade Ball at Martin Library
30 — York Halloween Parade
Find more event information at www.yorkcity.org.
Contact Mark Walters at 771-2032 or follow him on Twitter at @walt_walters.