Huntington hires ad agency to publicize its 350th anniversary in 2003

Long Island Business News, Dec 13, 2002 by LIBN STAFF

The Town of Huntington has hired Todd Shapiro Associates to publicize its 350th anniversary in 2003, a celebration of more than 100 events highlighting a history that has included figures such as Walt Whitman and Nathan Hale.

The town hopes to use the anniversary to attract attention and visitors at a time when history has proved to be a major engine for tourism on Long Island. A wide range of museums in Huntington, along with merchants and residents, are helping to organize events for the anniversary celebration.

"It will bring tourism and will attract people with a historical flare," said Frank Petrone, Huntington Town supervisor. "It's not a one- or two-event celebration like a festival where they're in. They shop and they're out. It will be ongoing."

Shapiro got the nod to market the festivities after handling a number of anniversaries, including Nassau County's centennial two years ago.

"We've done events for local municipalities, non-for-profits and corporations including anniversaries," said Todd Shapiro, president of the Hauppauge-based PR firm.

The festivities will include birthday celebrations, family geneology workshops, lighthouse tours, concerts, lectures and dinners.

The town (whose population is about 200,000) already has scheduled between five and 10 events each month to mark the anniversary.

As part of the PR effort, by early 2003 Huntington plans to put up signs and banners to inform the public of both the celebration and its Web site www.town.huntington.ny.us. The town also has rolled out an anniversary logo.

Huntington traces its history back to April 2, 1653 when English settlers Richard Holbrook, Robert Williams and Daniel Whitehead bought a plot of land on Long Island's North Shore from the Matinecock Indians. Along with subsequent purchases, that area came to be known as the Town of Huntington.

As part of its festivities, Huntington plans to hold a black-tie birthday bash April 2 at Oheka castle and a free day-long birthday celebration April 6 at Huntington High School, with a band, dancing and activities for children and adults.

Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association has signed on as the chief sponsor for the procession of events. Other sponsors are Newsday, the Long Island Power Authority, Daniel Gale Real Estate, Coldwell Banker Sammis and Reckson Associates Realty.

H2M Group, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and U.S. Trust also took on more limited sponsorship roles. Additional sponsorships are available, the town said.