DERBY — Be sure to wish the City of Derby a happy birthday today (May 13, 2025) as it turns 350 years old!
That’s right, Derby was named and declared a township on May 13, 1675.
Mayor Joseph DiMartino’s administration established the Derby 350 Anniversary Celebration Committee, whose members have a year’s worth of activities, parties and concerts planned. Derby City/Town Clerk Marc Garofalo is the committee’s chairman.
There are several events planned for today, the actual 350th.
The celebration starts 11:30 a.m. at Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., where the library’s grandfather clock will be rededicated. The Walter Durfee clock was renovated in 2025 thanks to the generous contributions of the Berman and Cadan families. Click here to read more.
Later in the day, the official opening ceremony to celebrate the city’s 350th anniversary is scheduled for 6 p.m. on the Derby Green, where officials will be opening a time capsule sealed in 1975 to celebrate Derby’s 300th anniversary. Then a concert on the Green is scheduled for 7 p.m. with Tony Susi and Jr. Palmieri.
Alderwoman Sarah Widomski will be giving away single bare root lilacs for people to plant outside their homes. The French Lilac is the official bush of the City of Derby. Click here for more info.
Click here for the 350th Committee’s Facebook page.
The merchandise below will be sold on the Derby Green during the opening ceremony. The post continues after the merch!
The City of Derby sent the following message at about 8 p.m. May 12:
“Hello Derby Residents, Here is an update for 05-12-2025.
1. We hope that all the Moms, Grandmothers, Godmothers, and Mother figures had a wonderful day yesterday on Mother’s Day.
2. The City of Derby will be celebrating its 350th anniversary this year. The kick-off event will be on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 6:00 pm on the Derby Green. There will be a brief speaking program, ringing of the Church Bells, a brief history of the City of Derby, and the opening of the 1975 Tercentennial Time Capsule. This kick off will be followed by a musical concert by Derby High School graduates Tony Susi and Andrew “Jr.” Palmieri. This will be preceded by the rededication of the Grandfather Clock at the Derby Public Library at 11:30 am.
3. The 350th Celebration weekend will be held on May 30, 31, and June 1, 2025 with Food Trucks, Kids Activities, Transportation History, Merchandise Vendors, 350th T-Shirts – Hoodies – Bells – Ornaments and Commemorative Coins. It will also feature Lead Singers of Classic Rock – Jason Scheff, the long-time lead singer of Chicago and Tommy DeCarlo, the former lead singer of Boston on Friday night. On Saturday night, Fleetwood Heart – a tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Heart will perform and on Sunday ForJourney – a tribute to Foreigner and Journey will perform. There will be local bands also playing.”