DUPONT — In 1914, a group of citizens formed the Independent Civic League of Dupont and petitioned the state to form a municipality separate from Pittston Township.
Three years later, in 1917, the area once called Heidelberg and also Smithville, became Dupont Borough.
Now, in 2017, borough residents are preparing a year’s worth of events and festivities to commemorate its 100th year.
A group of volunteers formed the Centennial Committee in 2014 to begin preparations.
“It was about three years ago we started with the basics of it and it’s just grown from there,” said Bob Price, committee chairman. “Three years ago, it was a theory off in the distance that was so far away and not a lot of people were paying attention to it. But, the closer it got, the more people got involved.”
The borough will hold a special event every month and kicked things off with a clam chowder dinner January.
Price said it was a good turnout, despite some setbacks due to weather.
“We got off to a great start, and then the roads turned to ice which slowed us down a bit,” he said. “But, we still had quite a few people come through.”
Next on the calendar of events is a Mardi Gras from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Dupont Fire Hose Company on Main Street.
The event includes food, a cash bar and music by Blessed Heart.
Tickets are available for $5 at the municipal building, and Dupont Mayor Dan Lello says at least 150 people are expected to attend.
“We may have more,” he said. “Who knows?”
Also on the calendar is the Centennial Dinner in March, the official 100th year celebration and in September there will be a car show, at which Centennial Committee Volunteer Marcia Roney hopes to break a world record.
“We have to write to the Guinness Book of World Records,” she said. “(The record is), I believe, it’s 803 people polka dancing at the same time. We’ll try to beat it and if we don’t, we don’t. We’re still working out the plans.”
The Centennial Committee is also selling 100th anniversary t-shirts and license plates, both of which are available at the municipal building.
The overall goal is raise $40,000 with proceeds going towards the purchase of a centennial clock.
According to Price, the itself costs around $26,000 but money is still needed to have it installed.
“What’s on the board outside is $40,000,” he said. “That’s the number we were given to make this happen and included in that number is landscaping, electrical, site preparations, a crane to put the clock in and things like that.”
Price noted the $40,000 mark is close to being reached, but Lello said they still want to continue raising funds.
“We’re still taking donations and people can still donate $250 to have their name on the clock and $100 for a brick,” he said.
The clock, Price said, is expected to be installed during the summer months.
The Centennial Committee is ready for a fun year and hopes more volunteers to sign up to help with events.
When the calendar turns to 2018, Centennial Committee volunteer Julie Slezak said there will be an empty void.
“What will we do for 2018?” she asked. “We’ll be bored.”
Lello hopes the festivities won’t stop.
“We do hope that some other people step up and continue the festivities for Dupont’s 101,” he said. “Let’s keep this going. Why can’t we do this next year?”