The town will be buzzing this weekend with Reading 375 activity! For a complete list of ALL events and celebrations happening now through June 15, check out Reading375.com. Here are the Reading 375 events residents can enjoy THIS WEEKEND:
EVENING EVENTS
Tavern at the Tavern – Friday, June 7, 6 PM
Under the tent on the lawn of Parker Tavern, 103 Washington St.
Smart Casual Attire
A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR $37.50 AT READING375.COM
Journey to our colonial past in this one-of-a-kind celebration. Celebrate Reading 375 as they did in 1644 – come taste, see, and hear history. Your ticket gets you:
- 18th Century music performances by Linens & Lace & Friends
- Tours of our town’s oldest building – Parker Tavern, built in 1694
- Complimentary mead tasting from 1634 Meadery
- Cash bar
- Heavy hors d’oeuvres featuring the following traditional New England favorites
- Farm stand display with local cheeses, crostini, and vegetable crudité
- Tasting plates
- Turkey carving station – grain mustard, cranberry chutney
- House made rolls
- New England clam chowder, oyster crackers
- “Sacred” cod cakes, herbed tartar sauce
- Summer succotash
- Roasted corn salad
- Creamy coleslaw
- Delectable desserts
- Miniature blueberry cobbler, maple whipped cream
- Toll house cookies, milk shooter
Revelry at the Tavern – Saturday, June 8, 7:30 PM
Under the tent on the lawn of Parker Tavern, 103 Washington St.
Cocktail Attire
A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR $37.50 AT READING375.COM
Get dressed up to toast Reading 375 in style. This is the party people will be talking about in twenty years – you’ll want to say you were there. This elegant cocktail party includes:
- Entertainment by DJ Scott Sica – he’ll be playing music to get the crowd going!
- “Who are you drinking?” – enjoy signature cocktails named after Reading luminaries
- Catering by Laurie’s 909, featuring both passed hors d’oeuvres and stations:
- Cheese and charcuterie display
- Seafood chowder
- Scallops wrapped in bacon
- Shrimp cocktail
- Coconut chicken
- Crostini with fig spread and brie
- Pimento deviled eggs
- Carved sirloin sliders
- Lollipop lamb chops
- Desert bar featuring cookies, brownies, Italian pastries, and fresh fruit
DAYTIME EVENTS – FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Our Town, Your Story
Reading Public Library
Saturday, June 8, 10 AM
Head to the Reading Public Library to make sure your story becomes part of our town’s history. You are invited to bring up to 3 photographs, which will be scanned into the Library’s virtual collection, creating a legacy of your time in Reading for future residents to learn from.
Clubhouse at the Tavern – Vintage Baseball
Washington Park and Parker Tavern
Saturday, June 8, 11 AM
Head to Washington Park for a double-header of vintage baseball – where the players will use the uniforms, equipment, and rules that would have been typical in the mid-1800s. The games are free to watch, and first pitch is at noon – bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. This is a baseball game unlike any you’ve ever seen before.
No need to pack lunch or snacks – baseball themed refreshments – including hot dogs, sausages, popcorn, cotton candy, and cracker jax – will be available for sale a short walk away under the tent at Parker Tavern beginning at 11 AM.
PorchFest
All over town
Saturday, June 8, Noon
You’ve read about it for months. It’s finally here – Reading’s first ever PorchFest. Enjoy FORTY-FIVE different bands and musical acts performing on front lawns, driveways, and porches all over town. Head to reading375.com for a map with all the venues and bands to plan your afternoon.
Looking ahead to next week
Monday, June 10 is Charter Day – Reading’s actual 375th birthday. All Reading residents, employees, and public school students are invited to wear purple to honor our town’s birthday. Charter Day is a perfect time to wear your Reading 375 t-shirt or pin with pride. Please join us at Reading Speaks: Voices of the Past and Present, a unique celebration of our town’s history at the Residence at Pearl Street at 7PM. Birthday cake will be served. Details at reading375.com.
On Wednesday, June 12 head to the RMHS Field House beginning at 6 PM for the Reading Rotary’s 8th annual Taste of Metro North. Last year more than 400 people came out to join the fun and sample food from more than 20 local restaurants. You can enjoy a discount on your ticket price if you purchase ahead of time ($25 for an individual, $60 for a family) at http://www.tasteofmetronorth.com. Tickets will also be available at the door – $30 for an individual, $70 for a family.
About Reading 375: Reading 375 is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization whose goal is to bring our community together to celebrate Reading’s 375th anniversary in 2019. Events will occur over a two-week period, from May 31 – June 15, and will include local artists and musicians, architecture unique to Reading, and fun community gatherings. The Reading 375 Steering Committee hopes to create a town-wide celebration of Reading’s rich history and exciting future. Commemorative anniversary t-shirts are available at Reading Trophy and Shirt and RCTV Studios for $20. Limited edition Reading375 pins are available at Whitelam Books, Reading Cooperative Bank, The Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, and RCTV Studios for $3.75.
To learn more and stay informed, follow Reading 375 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and check out Reading375.com.
