2014 Bicentennial Celebration
Thank you to all for making our year-long celebration a memorable one!
Tastings Through Time Reception - October 18, 2014 Highlights
Bicentennial Homecoming 2014
"Old Brighton Village Day" - September 13th
Town of Brighton presents “Old Brighton Village Day” at the Historic Brighton Cemetery at Hoyt Place. As part of the Brighton200 Bicentennial celebration the Town will be honoring Orringh Stone with the unveiling of his gravestone and then touring some of the oldest gravesites at the Brighton Cemetery on Saturday September 13, 2014 starting at 10:30 a.m.
Afterwards, enjoy lunch with us lunch at the Brighton Town Hall Lower Level Community Room as Brighton Historian Mary Jo Lanphear shares 200 years of history with "A Town, A Village and a Cemetery, 1814-2014” .
View the entire presentation that was given by Town Historian, MaryJo Lanphear at the event here.
"All Aboard for the Bicentennial Canal Day" - August 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
See Flyer here for more details.
Event to start with Free Boat Rides on the Sam Patch starting at 10 a.m. on the hour with the
last ride to be with a launch of 3 pm. Enjoy your round trip journey traveling from Lock 33 to Lock 32 and back. Boat Ride Reservations required by registering at www.townofbrighton.org/rec or by calling 784-5260.
Additional activities at the Jewish Community Center 1200 Edgewood Avenue will begin at 12:00 noon - 4 p.m.
Parking with Free Shuttle service will be provided from the French Road School located at 488 French Road.
2014 Bicentennial Year kicks off with Formal Proclamation
On Wednesday, January 8, the Town of Brighton celebrated the arrival of our Bicentennial year with a formal proclamation at the first 2014 Town Board meeting held at 7 p.m. in Brighton Town Hall.
Brighton elected officials, past and present, signed the official proclamation designating 2014 as the bicentennial year of the town.
We have special events planned throughout the year that will recognize the town's growth and rich history, including the Underground Railroad, Erie Canal, architecture and culture.
View our Town of Brighton's Bicentennial Yearlong Celebration 2014 Calendar of Events here.
February 2014 Brighton200 Event
Brighton200 Plans African-American History Celebration
In recognition of Black History Month this February, Brighton200 will present “Struggle Toward Freedom,” a celebration of local African-American heritage, featuring a special performance by Garth Fagan Dance School Ensemble.
“Struggle Toward Freedom” will take place on Sunday, February 23 at 3 p.m. at the Alumni and Advancement Center Auditorium on the University of Rochester’s Brighton campus, 300 E. River Road. This event is free and open to the public and is being sponsored by the University of Rochester.
The program will include opening remarks by Reverend Lawrence Hargrave and presentations by guest speakers Jerry Bennett, a Brighton resident and Underground Railroad specialist, Mary Jo Lanphear, town of Brighton historian and Dr. David Anderson, Community Scholar in Residence in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education at Nazareth College. The program will conclude with a special performance by Garth Fagan Dance School Ensemble, featuring area youth.
Event Flyer can be found here.
Highlights from "Struggle Toward Freedom" February 23rd Event
Brighton200
Learn more about the 2014 Town of Brighton Bicentennial Celebration by contacting
Raymond J. Tierney
2014 Bicentennial Celebration Steering Committee Chairman
(585) - 233-3288
To learn interesting historic facts and information about our Town during various times in history, please visit our Town's History page here.
Congratulations from the President of the United States
Congratulations from NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
Brighton200 Travels Back In Time For Spring Events
In continuation of the yearlong Bicentennial celebration, the Town of Brighton’s Bicentennial committee will team up with Historic Brighton and the Landmark Society of Western New York this spring to recognize the earliest days of Brighton history.
On Saturday, April 5, a series of historical reenactments chronicling the first meeting of the Town of Brighton in 1814 will be held at the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site, 2370 East Avenue; the exact location where history was made 200 years ago. All ages are welcome to attend the professional reenactment, presented by Historic Brighton, which includes a Ploughman’s Lunch and tour of the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site and grounds. Check-in, luncheon and shuttle service will be at the Baptist Temple, 1101 Clover Street. This event is made possible through a unique partnership with Historic Brighton and The Landmark Society of Western New York and the support of Wegmans Food Markets.
Tickets are $12 per adult and $6 per child; space is limited and pre-registration is required. Visit brighton200.org for more details.
On Sunday, May 4, join Christopher Brandt and Arlene Wright Vanderlinde of Historic Brighton and Brighton Historian Mary Jo Lanphear for a narrated bus tour of historic Brighton landmarks. This event is made possible through the support of Reed Eye Associates. Tickets are $10 each; space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information on these events and more visit brighton200.org for more details.
April 5, 1814 Town Board Meeting Reenactment
On Saturday, April 5, a series of historical reenactments chronicling the first meeting of the Town of Brighton in 1814 was held at the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site, 2370 East Avenue; the exact location where history was made 200 years ago. Parents and children flocked to one of three intimate reenactments which included a Ploughman’s Lunch and tour of the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site and grounds.
Summer Events Coming Up
On Sunday, June 1, Brighton Neighbors United will team up with Brighton200 to host an old-fashioned family picnic at Buckland Park, located at 1341 Westfall Rd, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Bicentennial Community Picnic will combine Brighton’s individual annual neighborhood picnics to produce the largest picnic in the town’s history, featuring live entertainment, old-fashioned games, a petting zoo and more. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket; food will also be available for purchase from Tom Wahl’s Mobile Restaurant and The Kosher Concession. This event is free and open to the public.
On July 4th, Brighton will celebrate the bicentennial year with a 4th of July celebration, featuring food, fireworks and fun for the whole family. The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and the Brighton Chamber of Commerce 4th of July 5k road race, departing from Brighton High School (1150 S Winton Rd). At 2 p.m., the celebration will move to Meridian Park. After letting the kids take a spin on the amusement rides and enjoying concessions and other activities, get ready to twist and shout to the music of The Skycoasters at 8 p.m. The celebration will conclude with our annual fireworks display. This event is free and open to the public.
Sunday, August 10th Canal Day- Come out and learn about how the Erie Canal played an important role in the development of the Town of Brighton. Event will include free chartered boat rides for Brighton residents aboard the SAM PATCH, traveling round trip from Lock 33 to approx. Lock 32 along the Canal. Tours will run on the hour starting at 10 a.m. up to 4 p.m.
Highlights from the Brighton200 Picnic held June 1, 2014
Thank you to all our Sponsors and Community Volunteers for making this event a very special celebration of our 200th Birthday.
View video here of the days highlights!
Tastings Through Time Reception - October 18, 2014 Highlights
Bicentennial Homecoming 2014
"Old Brighton Village Day" - September 13th
Town of Brighton presents “Old Brighton Village Day” at the Historic Brighton Cemetery at Hoyt Place. As part of the Brighton200 Bicentennial celebration the Town will be honoring Orringh Stone with the unveiling of his gravestone and then touring some of the oldest gravesites at the Brighton Cemetery on Saturday September 13, 2014 starting at 10:30 a.m.
Afterwards, enjoy lunch with us lunch at the Brighton Town Hall Lower Level Community Room as Brighton Historian Mary Jo Lanphear shares 200 years of history with "A Town, A Village and a Cemetery, 1814-2014” .
View the entire presentation that was given by Town Historian, MaryJo Lanphear at the event here.
"All Aboard for the Bicentennial Canal Day" - August 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
See Flyer here for more details.
Event to start with Free Boat Rides on the Sam Patch starting at 10 a.m. on the hour with the
last ride to be with a launch of 3 pm. Enjoy your round trip journey traveling from Lock 33 to Lock 32 and back. Boat Ride Reservations required by registering at www.townofbrighton.org/rec or by calling 784-5260.
Additional activities at the Jewish Community Center 1200 Edgewood Avenue will begin at 12:00 noon - 4 p.m.
Parking with Free Shuttle service will be provided from the French Road School located at 488 French Road.
2014 Bicentennial Year kicks off with Formal Proclamation
On Wednesday, January 8, the Town of Brighton celebrated the arrival of our Bicentennial year with a formal proclamation at the first 2014 Town Board meeting held at 7 p.m. in Brighton Town Hall.
Brighton elected officials, past and present, signed the official proclamation designating 2014 as the bicentennial year of the town.
We have special events planned throughout the year that will recognize the town's growth and rich history, including the Underground Railroad, Erie Canal, architecture and culture.
View our Town of Brighton's Bicentennial Yearlong Celebration 2014 Calendar of Events here.
February 2014 Brighton200 Event
Brighton200 Plans African-American History Celebration
In recognition of Black History Month this February, Brighton200 will present “Struggle Toward Freedom,” a celebration of local African-American heritage, featuring a special performance by Garth Fagan Dance School Ensemble.
“Struggle Toward Freedom” will take place on Sunday, February 23 at 3 p.m. at the Alumni and Advancement Center Auditorium on the University of Rochester’s Brighton campus, 300 E. River Road. This event is free and open to the public and is being sponsored by the University of Rochester.
The program will include opening remarks by Reverend Lawrence Hargrave and presentations by guest speakers Jerry Bennett, a Brighton resident and Underground Railroad specialist, Mary Jo Lanphear, town of Brighton historian and Dr. David Anderson, Community Scholar in Residence in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education at Nazareth College. The program will conclude with a special performance by Garth Fagan Dance School Ensemble, featuring area youth.
Event Flyer can be found here.
Highlights from "Struggle Toward Freedom" February 23rd Event
Brighton200
Learn more about the 2014 Town of Brighton Bicentennial Celebration by contacting
Raymond J. Tierney
2014 Bicentennial Celebration Steering Committee Chairman
(585) - 233-3288
To learn interesting historic facts and information about our Town during various times in history, please visit our Town's History page here.
Congratulations from the President of the United States
Congratulations from NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
Brighton200 Travels Back In Time For Spring Events
In continuation of the yearlong Bicentennial celebration, the Town of Brighton’s Bicentennial committee will team up with Historic Brighton and the Landmark Society of Western New York this spring to recognize the earliest days of Brighton history.
On Saturday, April 5, a series of historical reenactments chronicling the first meeting of the Town of Brighton in 1814 will be held at the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site, 2370 East Avenue; the exact location where history was made 200 years ago. All ages are welcome to attend the professional reenactment, presented by Historic Brighton, which includes a Ploughman’s Lunch and tour of the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site and grounds. Check-in, luncheon and shuttle service will be at the Baptist Temple, 1101 Clover Street. This event is made possible through a unique partnership with Historic Brighton and The Landmark Society of Western New York and the support of Wegmans Food Markets.
Tickets are $12 per adult and $6 per child; space is limited and pre-registration is required. Visit brighton200.org for more details.
On Sunday, May 4, join Christopher Brandt and Arlene Wright Vanderlinde of Historic Brighton and Brighton Historian Mary Jo Lanphear for a narrated bus tour of historic Brighton landmarks. This event is made possible through the support of Reed Eye Associates. Tickets are $10 each; space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information on these events and more visit brighton200.org for more details.
April 5, 1814 Town Board Meeting Reenactment
On Saturday, April 5, a series of historical reenactments chronicling the first meeting of the Town of Brighton in 1814 was held at the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site, 2370 East Avenue; the exact location where history was made 200 years ago. Parents and children flocked to one of three intimate reenactments which included a Ploughman’s Lunch and tour of the Stone-Tolan House Historic Site and grounds.
Summer Events Coming Up
On Sunday, June 1, Brighton Neighbors United will team up with Brighton200 to host an old-fashioned family picnic at Buckland Park, located at 1341 Westfall Rd, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Bicentennial Community Picnic will combine Brighton’s individual annual neighborhood picnics to produce the largest picnic in the town’s history, featuring live entertainment, old-fashioned games, a petting zoo and more. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket; food will also be available for purchase from Tom Wahl’s Mobile Restaurant and The Kosher Concession. This event is free and open to the public.
On July 4th, Brighton will celebrate the bicentennial year with a 4th of July celebration, featuring food, fireworks and fun for the whole family. The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and the Brighton Chamber of Commerce 4th of July 5k road race, departing from Brighton High School (1150 S Winton Rd). At 2 p.m., the celebration will move to Meridian Park. After letting the kids take a spin on the amusement rides and enjoying concessions and other activities, get ready to twist and shout to the music of The Skycoasters at 8 p.m. The celebration will conclude with our annual fireworks display. This event is free and open to the public.
Sunday, August 10th Canal Day- Come out and learn about how the Erie Canal played an important role in the development of the Town of Brighton. Event will include free chartered boat rides for Brighton residents aboard the SAM PATCH, traveling round trip from Lock 33 to approx. Lock 32 along the Canal. Tours will run on the hour starting at 10 a.m. up to 4 p.m.
Highlights from the Brighton200 Picnic held June 1, 2014
Thank you to all our Sponsors and Community Volunteers for making this event a very special celebration of our 200th Birthday.
View video here of the days highlights!