Volunteers Sought for New Rochelle Anniversary Planning

New Rochelle will be celebrating its 325th anniversary in 2013, and the city is seeking volunteers to organize and facilitate the year-long observance.

Spearheaded by former councilwoman Marianne Sussman, a volunteer committee has been formed and community volunteers are being sought for every aspect of planning.

A kickoff meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 16 in the City Hall Council Chambers, 515 North Ave.

"Our 325th anniversary is a celebration of the founding of New Rochelle by the Huguenots of La Rochelle, France," Sussman said, "and the centuries of growth and development that have made us the unique and diverse city we are today.

"We invite all members of the community to join in planning the events and activities that will mark this important milestone," she said.

During the year-long celebration, New Rochelle's culture and diversity will be commemorated, as well as its history and growth from a small French-speaking settlement in 1688 to a 77,000-population suburb.

Artists and designers age 16 and up are invited by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts to submit a proposal for an anniversary logo that will be used to promote the celebration. First prize is $325, with $100 for second and third places. Complete requirements can be found in the PDF document attached to this article. There will be a information workshop about the contest at 7 p.m. May 29 at the New Rochelle Public Library. The deadline for submission of digital images is June 20, with the announcement of finalists July 13.

The city's Web site has a page that will contain information on events and activities as they evolve.