Newton Kicks Off 150th Anniversary Celebration

Newton launched a celebration to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of its incorporation with a ceremony held recently at the Newton Fire Museum on Spring Street. In addition to announcing a full slate of events and activities, a new logo and tagline, part of a comprehensive branding and marketing campaign to coincide with the 150th Anniversary, was unveiled during the ceremony.

Speakers included Sandra Lee Diglio, Newton Councilwoman, Thomas S. Russo, Jr., Newton Town Manager, Gina Thomas, President, Community Resource Partners, Jeff Buehler, State Coordinator and Director of the Main Street New Jersey Program, and Eric Groves, CEO & Co-Founder of Alignable, a web-based platform that allows local businesses to network, market together, grow and support their communities.

“For the past several years, Newton has implemented many proactive, pro-business policies in order to retain and attract world-class businesses,” Russo noted. “The branding project is another step in the right direction, as Newton migrates away from simply being known as the County Seat of Sussex County into a regional destination for travel and tourism as well as commerce, retail, business, industry, education and healthcare.”

The new logo and tagline were created by District Connect, one of New Jersey’s leading strategic marketing firms for business districts with offices in Byram Township and Island Heights. Thomas, who is serving as Newton’s marketing coordinator, pointed out that the logo and tagline will serve as the brand platform for a comprehensive program including a new Facebook page (Facebook.com/gonewton) and a new website (NewtonNJCool.com) designed to showcase all that Newton has to offer.

“Newton is the gateway to New Jersey’s Skylands region, a four-season destination for visitors from throughout the metropolitan area and beyond interested in hiking, camping, skiing, apple picking, wine tasting, art festivals and more,” stated Mayor Joseph A. Ricciardo, who is working with other town officials and Newton’s business community to promote Newton during this anniversary year and beyond. “Newton’s restaurants, shops, theatres and services are world class, and easily accessible and convenient for people heading to our area year-round, as well as residents of Northwest Jersey.  Our goal is to introduce people to the things they might not know about Newton, and remind them of the things that have always made this community special.”

As part of the 150th Anniversary celebration, the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Newton will be holding an expanded Newton Day Festival on Saturday, June 14, 2014 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (rain date - Saturday, June 21st) featuring a fun-filled, alcohol-free, family-friendly array of activities, entertainment and food. Special events added to this year’s schedule include a visit by the New Jersey Hall of Fame Traveling Museum, a Town Crier competition, a classic and antique car show, walking tours of the historic district and historical re-enactors. The day will conclude with a spectacular fireworks finale at Memory Park.

Other annual events that will be expanded in recognition of the 150th Anniversary include the Taste of Newton on September 8th and the Holiday Parade on November 29th.

At the conclusion of the recent gathering, guests enjoyed birthday cake donated by ShopRite of Newton at the Springboard Shoppes on Spring Street, the location from April 1-16 for the NJ350 Pop Up Store created in honor of New Jersey’s 350th Anniversary. “"Spring Street in Newton is a quintessential Main Street, and the perfect place to celebrate these historic events," concluded Jonathan Andrews, founder of the Springboard Shoppes.