Esther Grace Earl was awarded the first “One Small Candle Award” and the British Beer Company Plymouth was the winner of the #IlluminatePlymouth2015 contest
Plymouth, MA— Plymouth 400, Inc.’s annual Illuminate event on the historic 1820 Court House Lawn in downtown Plymouth drew a crowd of more than 300 people for the inspirational concert and candle-lighting ceremony, which was created to bring to life William Bradford’s inspiring quote, “As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many”. The program featured Plymouth 400’s first “One Small Candle Award” presentation, which was awarded posthumously to Esther Grace Earl in honor of her inspiring legions of friends and fans during her short life and now through her foundation and book, This Star Won’t Go Out. The program also included performances from the Plymouth International Chorus, Plymouth North High School’s Northern Lights, and Hero Art’s Rob Surette. The winner of the Illuminate 2015 Essay Contest, Grace Dixon from Plymouth Community Intermediate School, read her winning essay about how her grandfather illuminates her life.
“The idea behind Illuminate is to create an inspirational movement around William Bradford’s quote about the light kindled from just one small candle by encouraging everyone in their daily lives to become that one small flame,” said Michele Pecoraro, Executive Director of Plymouth 400. “We were thrilled to be able to invite the Earl family to be a part of this year’s event and it was fitting that the first ‘One Small Candle Award’ be presented to them on behalf of Esther Grace, as her story and her legacy is a shining example of what it means to Illuminate peoples’ lives. The Earl Family’s presentation highlights the Plymouth400 theme of thanksgiving.
Attendees were then invited to walk along Main Street and Court Street, where shops and restaurants illuminated their storefronts for the #IlluminatePlymouth2015 contest, for which British Beer Company Plymouth took home the trophy for their creative display honoring John Lennon and his inspirational song, “Imagine”. The winner was chosen through the Illuminate Mobile App, which also allowed users to share photos of their experiences through the app’s photo sharing feature. Mayflower Brewing Company and Rogers & Gray Insurance Agency partnered with Plymouth 400 this year for an awareness campaign through which restaurants in downtown Plymouth that carry Mayflower Brewing Company’s beers were given commemorative glasses to hand out to customers during Illuminate 2015.
The inaugural Illuminate event took place last year in conjunction with Plymouth, England’s event, and Plymouth will continue to grow and expand this event each year as part of the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration leading up to and through 2021, when it culminates in Illuminate Thanksgiving 2021, one of Plymouth 400’s planned Signature Events. Plymouth, UK will host their second Illuminate event on Thursday, November 26th. Images from both events will be available at www.plymouth400inc.org
About Plymouth 400, Inc.
Plymouth 400, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization in Plymouth, Massachusetts formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony in 2020. The Plymouth 400 Anniversary will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building of America.
