Sycamore ended its celebration of the city’s 150th anniversary with a “Gala Dance” Saturday at St. Mary’s Memorial Hall, 322 Waterman St. in Sycamore.

The 150th anniversary ball was the closing event for the year-long celebration of Sycamore’s Sesquicentennial, and began with words of welcome from Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy. The event also included live music from the Grand Avenue Big Band, dancing and the presentation of Sycamore’s Time Capsule.

“When there’s a big anniversary celebration, people usually do time capsules,” said Cheryl Maness, time capsule presenter and member of the opening and closing events committee.

The time capsule, once finished, will include different items brought in by people from the community. It will be closed on Dec. 31, and items can be brought to the Sycamore City Clerk’s Office until that date.

Some of the items already planned to go into the capsule include the programs from each sesquicentennial event, a 2008 Sycamore High School yearbook, a graduation commencement program, pictures of the current streetscape and community buildings and pictures of the undeveloped area surrounding the town today. A cell phone, DVD and current coin proof set will also be put in along with some essays from Sycamore’s school children.

Maness said an essay contest was held at all the community schools where students were asked to write about their present-day life. Each school picked certain essays and those students road on a float at Pumpkin Fest.

“It was fun to watch not only adults, but children participate in the year-long celebrations,” Maness said.

Mundy said the festivities for the 150th anniversary began in May with a ceremony on the lawn of the city’s court house followed by a picnic in the Sycamore Park including a live band, several food vendors and fireworks. The sesquicentennial theme was then woven into already existing community events such as the Cinco De Mayo festivities, the Fizz Ehrler Memorial Car Show and Pumpkin Fest.

“We’re thankful to all the volunteers and major sponsors that gave up their time and donations to make these festivities possible,” Mundy said. “This really speaks of the spirit of generosity that has been the trademark of Sycamore for the past 150 years.”

Sixty volunteers helped begin planning for the sesquicentennial event, but Mundy said well over 100 people have participated in the festivities in some way including five sub-committees and six major sponsors.

“It’s been a lot of fun throughout the year to be with the community … I think it’s really great that the community came together to make this possible,” said Penny White, member of the events committee.