Consolidation Celebration to Feature Cake, Video, Raffles

Although many of the specific details are still be finalized, a subcommittee has begun to outline a community celebration to recognize Princeton historic muncipal consolidation effective Jan. 1, 2013. 

According to a memo prepared by the Transition Task Force Communications Event Subcommittee, the event will cost no taxpayer dollars and will instead by paid for by private sponships and donations and staffed by volunteers. 

The tentative plan calls for a one-hour event from 3-4 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2012, the final day that Princeton Borough and Princeton Township will exist. The location would be Palmer Square Green. 

The memo describes the celebration as a "tightly focused event, which will have both a feeling of formality and a good dose of fun."

The memo memo outlines the following plan:

• Gather on Palmer Square Green.   
• Opening remarks on stage platform by the Joint Shared Services Consolidation Commission and Transition Task Force chairmen. They will welcome people, recognize/thank resident volunteers and introduce a video presentation.  
• The video, shown on large movie screen on stage, will include a photo montage with audio congratulations comments from County Executive Brian Hughes, Gov. Chris Christie and Rep. Rush Holt (D-Hopewell).  
• For the first ½ hour, people may enter to win one of three “Princeton’s Best” baskets, which could feature restaurant and retail gift cards; sporting tickets; theater tickets; parking cards; pool family membership, etc.
• Following the video, a ribbon cutting around the canopy tents for the “Consoli-Cake” Party, featuring more than 50 cakes decorated with different Princeton images/icons. 
• Linda Mather, chairwoman of the TTF Communications Event Subcommittee, will pull names of the winners of “Princeton’s Best” baskets and introduce the four to eight consolidation-Haiku authors who will read their submissions. 
• The finale will be a speech by the newly-elected mayor, who will then present recognition plaques for municipal hall to the outgoing mayors.
• The new mayor will unveil the gift from J. Seward Johnson Foundation – a commissioned art piece, to be placed in the Witherspoon Building.   
• During the event, a video photo montage of Princeton’s images/icons will play on a five minute loop on the big screen on the stage, and set to upbeat party music.

In case of inclement weather, the event would be held in the Library's Community Room. 

Some Princeton officials have suggested that Jan. 1, 2013 may be a better day and that Hinds Plaza may be a better location. Still, members of the governing body gave the subcommittee the go-ahead to move forward celebration plans.