Gorham’s first settlers arrived on the south side the Little River in 1736, and the town is planning to mark the 275th anniversary of the occasion with a big event this year.
“We are looking to honor the town through a celebration that will occur at a date yet to be set,” said Town Councilor Philip Gagnon, who is leading a town fair planning committee that is looking for help in putting together a major festival.
The committee is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Gorham Municipal Center recreation wing’s multi-purpose room.
Gagnon said the idea is to organize a celebration similar to Westbrook’s Together Days, a townwide event including a parade, performances and fireworks, with participation by civic groups and the business community.
Gorham planned a townwide fair about a decade ago, but the event was canceled after attendance fizzled, Gagnon said.
This month, Gorham town councilors pledged $5,000 toward this year’s fair. Gagnon said he has received $600 in donations since then.
The town fair planning committee has many details to work out, besides the date, such as a fundraising strategy, budget and venue.
A fair focused on the town’s historical roots would be well-attended, said Dede Perkins, a member of the fair committee and executive director of the Gorham Business Exchange.
“This town has a lot of spirit. I am excited about recognizing the history of the town,” Perkins said.
Gagnon said the Gorham Historical Society is ready to participate.
Gorham was known as Narragansett 7 when Capt. John Phinney and his family started clearing land for crops on the south side of the Little River. The land had been granted by the General Court of Massachusetts for the captain’s service in King Philip’s War.
Narragansett 7 was one of seven townships granted by the Massachusetts general court. The year before Phinney arrived, the town was divided into 30-acre lots and roads were located.
Not only did the first settlers arrive in 1736, but Gorham’s first birth occurred in that year, that of Mary Gorham Phinney.
More information on the town fair planning committee is available from Gagnon at pgagnon@gorham.me.us.
Staff Writer Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:
bquimby@pressherald.com
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