Liberty and Union Weekend

Each October the City of Taunton proudly celebrates Liberty and Union Weekend, a series of events honoring our local history and culture. This year's Liberty and Union Weekend begins Thursday, Oct 18th at 7pm with a program at the Old Colony Historical Society (66 Church Green). This program is free to the public and light refreshments will be served.

On Friday, Oct.19th the celebration continues with the opening of Taunton's newest cultural venue, the Trescott Street Gallery (8 Trescott Street). The free event begins at 5 pm and features a presentation by Dr. Chris Scully on the theatrical history of downtown Taunton. As well, on Friday, the Downtown Taunton Foundation hosts the "Liberty Libation Downtown Taunton Tavern Tour". This 21plus event will take participants on a crawl around several of downtown's finest establishments, including spots at Off Broadway Diner, El Mariachi, the Ugly Duckling, Pub 76 and the Baha Brothers Sandbar Grill. Each site will feature festive food and drink specials. Stop at the Trescott Street Gallery any time between 5pm -8pm to pick up your Tavern Tour Map. Contact the Downtown Taunton Foundation at 508-824-0484 for details.

Sat. Oct 20th is the busiest of day for Liberty and Union Weekend with guided historic tours led by Taunton High School students at the First Parish Church (located on Church Green).

From 10am-4pm on Saturday, the Taunton Green will serve as the venue for the 2nd annual Liberty and Union Arts & History Festival. Hosted by the Downtown Taunton Foundation, the Festival will several hands-on family activities, including Home Depot craft booth, free "Patriotic Pumpkin" decorating activity and art vendors. At 12 noon, the public is invited to gather at the Taunton Green flagpole to witness the annual Liberty and Union flag raising. The ceremony will feature a special appearance by costumed members of the Robert Treat Paine Chapter of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and musical accompaniment by the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps. Saturday's activities will include two guided tours of the Taunton 's Main Street, led by former city mayor and noted local historian Charles Crowley.

Liberty and Union weekend will conclude on Sunday, Oct 21 with a community service at the First Parish Church (on Church Green) at 10am led by Rev Chrirstana Wille McKnight, highlighting the faith and patriotism of Taunton's earliest leaders. Also Taunton Art Association (42 Williams Street) presents its popular annual Fall Art Show from 12 noon to 4 pm.

Liberty and Union Weekend is sponsored by Columbia Gas, Home Depot, Jordan's Furniture, the Office of Economic and Community Development, Quality Beverage, Taunton Federal Credit Union, and Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant. For more information, including the full schedule of activities, visit www.libertyandunion.org online.