How did Beavertown come to have such a large, dynamic and colorful Bicentennial celebration? It is most interesting to know how this saga unfolded and developed.

It all began early in 1974 when Beavertown Boro received an application to become an official American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA) community. This application was misplaced, and unfortunately, never located again.

On the evening of June 13, 1974, Lewis Ritter, President of the Beavertown Boro Council asked Cloyd W. Wagner, President of the Beavertown Historical Society to select, head up and establish a Bicentennial Celebration Committee for Beavertown, as an adjunct the mission of the Historical Society. The first task was to select a representative group, taking into consideration the sex, age, interests, capacities, community contacts and geographical distribution of the committee. Those persons selected were told of the hoped for goals, and after they gave their approvals to serve, their names were submitted to Mr. Ritter for his review. This became what might be described as the first generation Beavertown Bicentennial Commission (BBC).

Another ARBA application was requested from Mr. Raymond Roush, Snyder County Bicentennial Chairman, and received on October 15, 1974. This application contained the instructions and requirements on how to become an ARBA community. Certain minimum components of the celebration had to be included, and guidelines on committee membership were to be closely followed. Since only the Historical Society was planning and discussing the upcoming celebration, it became evident that other community groups should be included to make the commission as as the guidelines suggested. After numerous contacts with potential members, and much discussion with other organizations, requesting them to elect an officer or member to serve on the commission, a group emerged that would meet all ARBA requirements. After the appointment of all the new members, a second generation BBC was born.

The ARBA application was typed up and submitted on April 23, 1975. The required components referred to above, and the response the BBC took are as follows:

1. Lasting A physical object of lasting value: After three attempts at other projects, the installation of a multi-purpose athletic community field sponsored by the Boro Council was selected.

2. Heritage USA- A look at the community's past: Since the Historical Society had held a heritage show of some proportions in November, 1974, they were to sponsor a similar show for the Bicentennial.

3. Festival USA- Games, contests and amusements: The Rescue Hose Company Carnival sponsored this component.

4. Horizons USA- Looking forward to and planning for a better future: The Beavertown Home and School Club agreed to sponsor this required component. A community park to beautify an eye-sore was the specific project.

5. Broad-Based Commission- Inclusion of all community groups: This was done as explained earlier.

Approval of the application was received from ARBA in a mailgram on May 22, 1975. Senator Scott also sent a letter announcing the approval, and this too was received on May 22nd.

The first order of business was to plan for the ceremony to receive the charter and the ARBA flag. It was decided to hold this in connection with the up-coming Fireman's Carnival, since this would give the broadest non-sectarian location, and would provide a built-in audience, The Girl Scouts and the 4-H organizations practiced a little ceremony, and on the evening of July 11, 1975, with the needed officials on hand, principally Senator Franklin Kury and Raymond Roush, Beavertown was given it's charter and flag. The Home & School Club provided choral music.

There followed all sorts of improvements that developed in the on-going operations of the BBC. For example, certain unorganized community groups such as young people, business interests and taxpayers, as well as organized groups not heretofore included such as sports teams and ladies auxiliary groups were now brought on board, and this became the third and final generation of the BBC.

While only those components mentioned in the ARBA application were mandatory to be an ARBA community, several other events had already been planned in the first generation of the BBC. These included a time vault with a complete story of 1976 Beavertown; a Bicentennial Queen Pageant to select a young lady to oversee all the other events; a Fantastics parade as in the older days to spoof New Year's Day; as well as others. From this it just sort of happened that an event was planned for each month of 1976, and in some cases more than one event a month. In addition, it was decided early on to have a special Bicentennial Booklet, Plate, Brick, and a special decoration effort.

Fund raising was also an early concern. The BBC decided to be a self-sufficient as possible and would request no public funds for it's operating budget. The overall projected budget was to be $2,000.00 and it was felt the plate, booklet, brick, chancing off a quilt and other articles, as well as the sale of refreshments and other articles would take in this needed amount. As it turned out, due to the generous private contributions, money and fund raising was never a problem for the BBC and its celebration.

The BBC held 20 meetings which planned out and executed over 40 events and activities, involving over 400 persons and organizations who contributed time or money to make the celebration the grand success that it was. Only two of these events developed any friction which amply demonstrates the dynamic and co-operative spirit that prevailed throughout the Bicentennial Year. The good will, generosity and willingness to help when asked was the real Hallmark of, and the lasting lesson gained from this most grand National Birthday Party known as the Bicentennial. Perhaps it is good to have such a community experience every one hundred years.

Countdown to Beavertown's Bicentennial and opening of the time vault:
Beavertown Bicentennial -- 1532 days