The mouth-watering scent of burgers and hot dogs on the grill will waft through the Historical Park on Saturday, July 11 when the Historical Society holds a Community Potluck Picnic from 10:00–2:00 as a way to thank residents for their support. Special this year is the celebration of the Sesquisemiquincentennial (250/150) Celebration, the theme for the event. Free lunch will be served at noon. Drinks, meat, buns and condiments will be supplied by the WRHS; attendees are asked to bring a salad (last names beginning with A–M) or a side dish (last names N–Z) to serve six. A patriotic cake will be on hand for dessert.
That’s not all, though! Lots of activities are planned for before and after the lunch!
Perhaps the most intriguing part is the reveal of proposed memorabilia from the last 20 years to be placed in a Time Capsule and buried during the Carnation Festival next month. Planners at the Historical Society are currently soliciting ideas for what to put in the capsule canister (measuring 12” x 5.5”), which will be buried for 50 years! Items must be small and represent life in Wheat Ridge at the beginning of the 21st century.
Contributors whose ideas are chosen will have their names included with their items, so start brainstorming ideas representative of our fair city in recent years. One item could be a face mask from the Covid Pandemic. However, LOTS of other ideas begin to percolate when you think about recent area events. For instance, what items could represent the new Lutheran Hospital – and the old Lutheran Legacy campus yet to be developed?
Local sports teams are doing well. What small items could tell their story? The current economic situation is a little more challenging. Only the youngest among us will be around to experience buying groceries or a car in 2076. Will paper money and coins still be around? Should a dollar bill and penny be included? What about newspapers and our beloved cell phones? Will they soon be ancient history?
Communicate your ideas to the planning committee by describing your suggestion in an email. Also state whether you have the suggested item to donate. Be sure to include your name and contact information (phone number and/or email) and send to [email protected] (with “Time Capsule” in the subject line) by Wednesday, July 8th. Then, plan to attend the Community Potluck Picnic and Sesquisemiquincentennial Celebration Saturday, July 11th, 10:00-2:00 at the Historical Park when the list of contributors and their ideas will be revealed.
The day’s events will begin with a round of Colorado Trivia for teams, leading into some patriotic and old time favorite music while trivia answers are tallied and lunch offerings organized. Then, after lunch and a slice of luscious cake for dessert, the Time Capsule content ideas will be revealed. The celebration will end with a salute to Colorado and more old-time favorite songs.
