Sunday, April 26, 2015, is going to be a community-wide celebration of Barrington's 150 years, with plenty of opportunities to make new memories to cherish for years to come.
First, experience an exciting day in Barrington, circa 1865! Please note that due to weather, this event has been rescheduled from Saturday, April 25, to Sunday, April 26. To celebrate 150 years, the Village will feature an 1865 Street Festival in downtown Barrington at Cook and Station Streets from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The event will transform the area into a historically themed extravaganza replete with old-time fanfare. There will be an extensive selection of small-plated fare, served by numerous local restaurants. This will include a pig roast, as well as other tasty treats of the era. In addition, Egg Harbor will be extending their hours for the day.
Music will be plentiful with performances by the Ragged Rascals, the BHS Jazz Band, and the Barrington Children’s Choir, as well as other groups. You can also enjoy an exciting array of street performers complete with a penny farthing cyclist, a juggler, barbershop quartets, and more. There will even be a chance to kick up your heels for the Virginia Reel.
Free pony rides, a photo booth, and a special Vintage Carnival planned by the Barrington Junior Women’s Club will provide fun for the whole family. In keeping with the era, special thematic souvenirs will also be available for purchase. In addition, the public can purchase the special Sesquicentennial Edition of Quintessential Barrington magazine, which includes dozens of never-before published photographs of Barrington area history, as well as numerous articles about Barrington’s storied past.
Into the evening, enjoy beer and wine bars and music by Pat McKillen and the Knapik Brothers. Share a memory or two with your neighbor as you sit around the fire and raise a cup of cheer as Barrington salutes the past, celebrates the present, and looks toward the future. Barrington’s 1865 Street Festival – it’s THE PLACE to be on April 25th!
Generous premier sponsors for all Sesquicentennial events are Charles Schwab, Wickstrom Auto Group, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, BMO Harris Bank, Barrington Area Community Foundation, Barrington Bank and Trust, Refined Construction Services, and Town & Country Painting of Barrington. More details and a schedule of events on the Village of Barrington website.
Also Sunday, April 26, the Barrington Area Library warmly welcomes you to Socialize, Share, and Celebrate Barrington History!
Stop in between 2-5 PM and enjoy a good, old-fashioned history fair, all about Barrington!
You'll meet and learn from Barrington architects, artists, authors, and organizations. Learn about Barrington's most historic churches, longtime businesses, well-known residents, and Barrington's role in the American Civil War. Enjoy artists' renderings and photographs of beautiful Barrington scenes, while sharing light refreshments and good conversation with your friends and neighbors. Check out the vintage 1928 Pirsch fire truck on our plaza, too!
At 2:30 PM, the Garden Club of Barrington will officially dedicate the Ruth and Robert Work Memorial Garden, on the east side of the library, next to the meeting rooms.
A special thank you to the Girl Scouts of Barrington and their leaders for assistance at this event.
Sesquicentennial Committee members (Jane Christino, Bonnie Gordon, Kay Griffith, Linda Kemper, Bev Kramer, Evie Stachura) wish to express their gratitude to Flo Bash, an early supporter of the arts and culture in Barrington. Flo spearheaded the Barrington Area Arts Council and “nurtured excellence in every kind of cultural endeavor – artistic and intellectual.”