Phillips celebrates 200 years Saturday

A bird's eye view of the village center of Phillips, which is celebrating 200 years on Feb. 25.

PHILLIPS - An evening of music, food and fun will mark the town of Phillips' bicentennial Saturday, as residents look ahead to a year of commemorative events.

Saturday will mark 200 years since the town's official incorporation on Feb. 25, 1812. With a year of potential events currently under discussion by the Revitalization Steering Committee, a birthday party at the Phillips Area Community Center will serve as the kick-off for the bicentennial. Starting at 5 p.m. in the community center, located in the Old Gym building on Depot Street, residents will enjoy a bean supper, 200 cupcakes commemorating Phillips' history and live music courtesy of the Narrow Gauge String Band. Stories, slides and history of the town will be recounted.

Other noteworthy events include a 50-50 raffle to support the Old Home Days fireworks show. Sky lanterns will be released in the evening, weather permitting. While a rain date of Sunday, Feb. 26, has been set, organizers hope Saturday's favorable forecast will make that unnecessary. The event is open and free to the public.

Phillips incorporated in 1812, after roughly 50 families were living in the area. The incorporation was approved by the Massachusetts Legislature on Feb. 25, 1812. Phillips became Maine’s 193rd town, with the state separating from Massachusetts in 1820.

Dick Matthews, who serves on the Revitalization Committee, said the party is the first of several potential events being discussed for the town's 200th year. Carol Rogers has come forward with an idea for a facial hair contest, with local men having until Aug. 4 to grow prize-winning hair, beards, mustaches or chops. A Civil War reenactment event, featuring the 15th Alabama group, is expected to take place in early May, and both the 15th and the 3rd Maine are expected to make appearances at the Old Home Days.

For now, however, Matthews and other organizers are looking ahead to Saturday's event. The committee has set up roughly 200 seats in the community center, Matthews said, and is optimistic about the potential turnout.

"There seems to be a lot of excitement about it," Matthews said.

Matthews said residents with proposals for future events should contact the chair of the committee, Pam Matthews at Pam15river@gmail.com or call (207) 639-2630.