5 Things: Celebrate 250th Anniversary of the First Meeting House, Founders Day Set for Saturday & More

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1. Expect Rain Friday in Foxborough

Today’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for showers, mainly after 7 a.m. Patchy fog. High near 62. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Friday night: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog. Low around 54. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

2. Celebrate Foxborough’s 250th Year of Sense of Community Friday

Note: The following was submitted by Town Historian Jack Authelet:

It was a bond between friends and neighbors that first gave rise to a Sense of Community that led those living here to come together to build a Meeting House and petition the legislature to become a community of their own.

That Sense of Community gave birth to a town that would be called Foxborough and the Meeting House was the first step toward our becoming a place of many faiths, said Town Historian Jack Authelet, who will deliver the keynote address at Friday night’s celebration of the town’s Sense of Community.

“That same bond that drew them together has kept us together all these years, and helped shape not only the community we became but that we continue to be,” said Authelet. "And any community populated by people of faith – whatever that faith might be – is a better community. We are so fortunate, we have much to celebrate.”  

Former Town Clerk Marie Crimmins, who is also a member of the Foxborough Historical Commission, will lead the program, which opens with an Invocation by Rev. Roger Lier, interim pastor of Bethany Congregational Church.

The Serenading Seniors will perform their stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful,” followed by “God Bless America.” They will also sing “We Thank You, Father,” written by director Jeanne Bonneau.

Board of Selectmen chair Mark Sullivan will bring Greetings from the Town of Foxborough and Senator James Timilty and Representative Jay Barrows will also share their thoughts on the celebration.

The Sense of Community will also honor someone who added so much to our community, the late Lida Bristol, with the rededication of a tree planted in her honor. The tree had been planted years earlier by Hoel and Mary Bowditch but removed during the downtown revitalization project. Its replacement is adjacent to the bandstand on the Common.

Everyone will have an opportunity to join in the singing of “Foxborough, My Home Town,” also written by Serenading Seniors director Jeanne Bonneau. The lyrics will be printed in the program.

In his keynote address, Authelet will touch upon the significance of that Sense of Community that not only led to our becoming a town but that has been a continuing presence ever since, contributing to the kind of community we are today, both as a town and as a community of faith, which affects the kinds of decisions we make concerning the well being of friends and neighbors, the needs of the young and the elderly, the support services and the conscience of our municipal existence.

At the close of the program, the Serenading Seniors will sing “Let There be Peace on Earth” and attendees will all be asked to join in.

Father Steve Madden of St. Mary’s Church has looked forward to sharing his thoughts and closing the program with the Benediction but his presence is contingent upon the needs of his congregation following the untimely death of Rev. Brian Smith, parochial vicar at St. Mary’s, on Monday.

The program will be held at the bandstand on the Common Friday evening at 7 p.m. Attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs or blankets to spread.

Additional parking is available in the Invensys lot at the foot of Bird Street.  It will also be available during the Founders Day celebration on Saturday.

In the event of inclement weather, the program will be moved to the sanctuary of the Universalist Church on Bird Street, directly opposite the bandstand on the Common. Ramp access to the sanctuary is available at the end of the driveway.

3. 25th Annual Founders Day Set for Saturday

Founders Day turns 25 Saturday and organizers have spent months planning a town-wide celebration to remember.

As of Thursday, all Founders Day activities, including the parade and fireworks, will be held at their scheduled times. However, due to the probability of Tropical Storm Andrea hitting the area Friday, Foxborough Patch will be monitoring any schedule changes to Founders Day and publish those notices on the website and social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook. You can also click here to visit the Founders Day official website, which will be updating the schedule if any changes need to be made.

The following information is courtesy of the Founders Day Committee, which organized and planned the event:

“The hustle and bustle of the gathering and arranging of the parade Saturday morning will most likely bring some interest to the center of town early. The Clydesdale horses will be towing our very own Steamer ‘Fire Engine’ from the steamer shed at around 9 a.m., which is located next to Memorial Hall. If you’ve never been in Memorial Hall this will be a great time to check it out. There is a lot of Foxborough history packed into this quaint building. And keep your ears open for the bands warming up prior to the parade.”

For complete schedule of events, click here.

4. Patriot Place Events

Here’s a look at what’s happening around Patriot Place today:

11 a.m. - Spring Fever - Creation Station: Join Patriot Place for hands-on art activities that explore a wide range of art media and tools.

5. Foxborough Regional Charter School Hosts Charter Presentation Ceremony Friday

On Friday, Foxborough Regional Charter School will welcome Commissioner Mitchell Chester of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, chair Maura Banta of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, State Representative Jay Barrows, other dignitaries and charter school leaders from across the state to formally recognize five new and 13 renewed charter schools.

Foxborough Regional Charter School was selected to host the Charter Presentation Ceremony.