PEPPERELL -- The culmination of years of planning and hard work is coming to fruition as the town continues celebrating its 250th birthday.
The special anniversary party on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the town field at 4 Hollis St. to mark the monumental semiquincentennial milestone will begin at 3 p.m. The family friendly event is open to the public and will feature activities for all ages including a rock wall, petting zoo, bouncy houses, live music by The Chad LaMarsh Band, a performance by Nicolette Reed of Airflow Projection Art, and high-energy entertainment from the main stage all afternoon and evening.
In addition, there will be giveaways, birthday cake for all attendees, food and drink sold by the Pepperell Lions Club and Pepperell VFW Auxiliary such as barbecue chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, French fries, corn on the cob, potato salad, and coleslaw, and the grand finale -- a laser show at dusk.
"As we commemorate the 250th anniversary, we celebrate our shared history and heritage as one nation," said Pepperell 250th Anniversary Committee Co-chair Stephen Themelis. "Looking towards the future, we honor the heroes who have given us one of our most prized possessions -- the land of the free and the home of the brave."
This is the last major event organized by the committee that has included over two dozen events leading up to the big finale this month. The festivities began with a cake lighting in January followed trivia nights, historical reenactments, interactive paranormal, hypnotist, and comedy shows, a time capsule ceremony, a parade in June, and more such as a commemorative coin available for purchase at Pepperell Family Pharmacy and the 250th party.
The committee members shared that August 23, 2025, has been officially declared as Pepperell 250th Birthday Day by Gov. Maura Healey and the House of Representatives. The town has received proclamations from both branches of the state government and been added to both branches' official records.
"It has really turned out to be a very exciting and memorable year for the Town of Pepperell!" Themelis said. "We appreciate people helping us to make our 250th a tremendous success."