Oxford prepares to celebrate bicentennial

OXFORD – The Village of Oxford’s upcoming Bicentennial Celebration is coming together nicely, organizers say.

There’s still room for more floats in the 200th anniversary parade July 26, and anyone with ideas or questions is encouraged to attend the next Bicentennial Committee meeting June 17.

Official bicentennial events are scheduled to kick-off in June, culminating with a weekend-long celebration July 25-26.

Civil War re-enactors, American Indian dancers, fireworks and historic walking tours are planned, as are a host of dances, concerts and activities in June and July aimed at recognizing the village’s rich history.

“It’s important to focus on our history, and where we’ve come from, where we’ve been and what we’ve done,” said village trustee and Bicentennial Committee co-chair Joseph Spence. “Oxford really seems to have a sense of its past.”

At 1 p.m. on July 26 the Oxford Memorial Library is hosting a “Kids Fair” and Phase II Capital Campaign Dedication. There will be a tour of the facilities, a presentation by local covered bridge enthusiasts and a live re-enactment of Theodore Burr, known as “The Father of American Bridge Building,” whose home is now the library.

Around 25 kiosks are scheduled to be placed out front of various historic houses and buildings around the village that will contain information on each landmark.

“One of our goals is to introduce young people” to what life was like in Oxford in the early 19th century, said Bicentenial Committee member Jeanie Peterson, who is organzing an “Early Living Skills Fair” on July 19.

The Oxford Garden Club will also be planting red, white and blue flowers in LaFayette Park.