Palatine Celebrates 150 Years in Style at Sesquicentennial Gala

Photo credit: Bob Kramer, Kramer Photographers. For those who had their pictures taken, they can be downloaded on the Kramer Photographers website by clicking here and selecting 'Palatine 150'.

It certainly was a night to remember for more than 400 guests who attended the Palatine Sesquicentennial Gala, in celebration of the Village's 150th birthday year, on Saturday, October 22, 2016.

The elegant affair was held at The Cotillion and included as part of the program a commemorative 'Palatine 150' video which was created and produced by Michael Noens of the Palatine Park District.

Opening remarks, introductions and thanks were given to all who made the event, activities and celebrations throughout the year possible, by Palatine 150 Core Committee Co-Chairs Melanie Santostefano and Joe Petykowski.

A four-course, family style dinner was served, and live entertainment provided by the Bluewater Kings Band. A group picture was also taken by Bob Kramer, owner of Kramer Photographers, which has been a business in Palatine for more than 40 years.

The Sesquicentennial Gala marked the final of four Signature Events that were produced and hosted by the Palatine 150 Core Committee. Other committee members included Deb Danecki, Sue Minnot and Marilyn Pedersen.

A Year of Celebrations

The Palatine Founders' Day Ceremony was held on April 2, which was 150 years to the day from when Palatine's founding leaders chose to incorporate the Village. The event included the singing of the Palatine 150 song by the Palatine Allegro Chorus - the song was written and composed by Palatine resident and composer David Reiser. A time capsule, which was sponsored by the Palatine Lion's Club, was buried at the steps of the Palatine Historical Society, 224 E. Palatine Road. Remarks were made by Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz, lifelong and fourth generation resident Sue Gould, and Marty Kelly of the Lion's Club.

A Good Ol' Summertime Festival was hosted on June 6, on the grounds of the George Clayson Museum, and included blacksmithing demonstrations, a civil war encampment, historical displays and antique cars, and was a day enjoyed by hundreds of families and residents.

Emmett's Brewing Co. of Palatine hosted the 'Palatine 150 Rail Ale' Launch Party on June 18, which highlighted the special brew that was created to honor the sesquicentennial year.

In total, there were more than two dozen events throughout 2016 that served to commemorate the sesquicentennial year, which were presented by community partners who took their own yearly events and themed them after this historic year in our Village's history. Please learn more about our community partners here.

Fifty two sponsors stepped up to help fund the year full of celebrations and activities that have made the sesquicentennial year one to remember. To learn more about the Palatine 150 sponsors, please click here.

We thank everyone who came out and supported, volunteered and attended all of the events and activities that have celebrated the sesquicentennial year so far. Palatine's sesquicentennial is now one for the record books.

-The Palatine 150 Core Committee