PHOTOS: Middletown 350 Parade Draws More than 1000 Celebrants

More than 1,000 people marched in the township's 350th anniversary parade, which ended with the burial of a time capsule at the Middletown Arts Center, scheduled to be rediscovered in 2064 on the township's 400th anniversary.

This is what they'll find: Letters to the future from 2014 township officials to their 2064 counterparts, artwork and essays from Middletown students, an iPhone, a Windows phone, periodicals and magazines, the most circulated book of 2014 from our library, a bag full of memorabilia from each school in town, an iPod, a DPW uniform, materials from our Police, Fire Dept, EMS, and OEM, a Rainbow Loom, a DVD player, a gas receipt, a K cup for Keurig Coffee makers, a grocery bill, the township budget and of course, tons of pictures.

The colorful, old-fashioned parade included marching bands, floats, horses, dancers, civic, fraternal and youth groups, and Middletown schools. 

Participants included representatives from Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo, Middletown Police, Fire, First Aid and Emergency Management, Patrick Torphy Pipe Band form the Ancient Order of Hiberians, American Legion Post 338, American Legion Post 515, Knights of Columbus Council 6552, Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority, Chapel Hill Hoof Beats 4H Club, Middletown Helps Its Own, Monmouth County Antique Motoring Club, Middletown Historic Preservation Commission, North Orange Wave Marching Band, Girl Scout Troop 991, Lincroft Elementary School and Girl Scout Troop 854, Middletown Village Elementary School, Thorne Middle School, Mater Dei Prep, St. Mary’s, Middletown South Band, and the Monmouth United Soccer Club.

Also marching were the current Township Committee, former Middletown Mayors, County Freeholders, Congressman Frank Pallone, Senator Joseph Kyrillos, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna, 

At the close of the day, Thorne Middle School received the award for Best in Show and Perna Dance received the award for Best Theme Spirited Business.

Here are some excerpts from a speech made by Mayor Stephanie Murray at the Middletown Arts Center, where the time capsule was buried: 

“Where we congregate today is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in all of New Jersey, and one of the seats of colonial America," said Mayor Murray. “Hundreds of years later, here we stand, celebrating our rich heritage and prosperous town - sending our message of community pride and hope into the future. “

“There is something very special about this particular location where we are now gathered. For the Lenape, where our train station stands, there was the pow-wow field -- a place where the tribe went to work out problems and settle issues. 

"In the 1800’s, just up the street, on King’s Highway, the community held something called “training day.” Among other things, this was the day that all arguments were settled, debts paid, and the hungry were fed," she said. 

“And now, today, in 2014, we bury our time capsule, to be opened at our 400th anniversary in 2064. This area has been a hub for generations of Middletowners, a place where this town has come together time and time again, to affirm its commitment to the community and each other. And they did it right here - like we are – right now. “ 

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