In 2008 Temple New Hampshire residents are celebrating their Bicenquinquagennial.  This event is connected with the year 1758 when European settlers first arrived in the area (rather than their year of incorporation which was 1768).  Temple has celebrated its centennial through the years -- 1858, 1908, 1958, and now it is planning its biggest bash for the 250th anniversary. 

The events will be a delightful combination of modern day projects, and programs of yester-year (such as an ice cream social, and artillery demonstration). For updates, please visit their web site. Don't forget to put these on your calendar!  Temple is located in the lovely Monadnock region of New Hampshire.

.Temple 250th Birthday Celebration Events Calendar.

1. “QM” Kick-off and Valentine Dance--Sat. Feb. 16, 2008
Sponsor: Temple Recreation Committee        
Description: 6:00 p.m. @ Temple Town Hall. Music, karaoke, cupcakes & punch followed by Valentines Dance from 8:00 – 12 mid. w Over Easy Band. Free of charge, BYOB, refreshments, raffle, proceeds to benefit the 250th celebration.

2. “Founding of Temple”--Tues. March 4, 2008
Sponsor: Temple Historical Society
Description:  7:00 p.m. @ Temple Town Hall. Dartmouth Professor Emeritus Jere Daniell will visit Temple to present "Town Founding in NH: The Special Case of Temple.” An expert on New England and the American colonial period, Daniell is the author of several books about New England, including Colonial N.H.: A History. The program is made possible in part by the New Hampshire Council for the Humanities.

3. Historical Society Annual Meeting--Tues. April 15, 2008
Sponsor: Temple Historical Society    
Description:  7:00 p.m. @ Temple Town Hall. Short films about Temple’s past, including rare footage from the town’s 200th anniversary in 1958.

4. Flower Planting--Spring 2008
Sponsor: QM Committee                
Description: A garden will be planted in commemoration of the town birthday.

5. Temple ½ Marathon and 4 Mile Walk--Sat. April 26, 2008
Sponsor: Friends of Temple Town Hall
Description:  9:00 a.m. @ Town Common. Registration and race beginning @ 10:00.
Debut of town banner with new logo.

6. Temple Memorial Day--Sun. June 1, 2008
Sponsor: Ex-Servicemen’s Club    
Description: 10:00 a.m. church service @ Temple Congregational Church followed by Memorial Day parade @ 12 noon, speeches, wreath hangings, and taps.
Temple Band plays on the Common @ 2:00 p.m.  
The Historical Society will present "Temple Spirits" with local residents taking the parts of various 18th-century village personages in a "ghostly reenactment" of their lives. That event will take place the graves themselves, in Temple's Old Burying Ground before the band concert.

7. Summer Reading Program--June – Aug. 2008
Sponsor: Mansfield Library
Description: Beginning in late June, the summer reading program for school aged kids will include activities and reading that focus on Temple through the past 250 years and end in early August.  

8.  Independence Day--Fri. July 4, 2008
Sponsor: Temple Recreation Committee
Description: 10:00 a.m. @ Temple Center. Kids Patriotic Parade with decorated bikes ending at the Temple Ball field for games and contests. Food and other activities provided by the Temple Fire Dept.

Sponsor: Quarter Millennium Committee
Description:  4:00 p.m. @ Temple. QM Parade featuring Temple Town Band, Milford Fife and Drum, bands, horses, special guests and ending at the Common with the 6 pm Temple Band concert and the Ladies Aide Ice Cream Social.

9.   Temple Colonial Days--Sat. Sept. 20, 2008
Sponsor: QM Committee                  
Description: 10:00 a.m. @ Temple Common. Drills and exhibitions by the Lafayette Artillery, demonstrations and exhibits of colonial day traditional arts.
                                 
3:00 p.m. @ Temple. Evolution of  Transportation beginning at Wheelands garage and ending at the Temple Elementary School.Vehicles representing every decade of the 1900’s led by horse drawn buggies will parade through the town and be on display at the school.

5:00 p.m. @ Temple Elementary School. All town banquet prepared and served by Niki McGettigan and the PTO and school children. Delicious homemade soups, breads, casseroles, and salads, topped off with a special celebratory dessert.

7:00 p.m. @ Temple Elementary School. Contra Dance featuring Frank Woodward as caller, his band New Boston Fancy, and other musicians are invited to play.

10. Temple Harvest Festival--Sun. Sept. 21, 2008
Sponsor: Village Green Committee
Description: 10:00 a.m. @ Temple Common. Beginning with a pancake breakfast at the Fellowship Hall by the Souhegan Lions Club @ 8:00 a.m., the fun begins with music, crafters, raffles, games, food, and special events and presentations commemorating the town’s 250th birthday celebration. The day ends with the Temple Band concert from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.