The Town of Oyster Bay's year-long 350th Anniversary Celebration will have some exciting summer and fall events for all to enjoy.

"A major highlight of our year-long celebration is the 350th Anniversary Costume Ball and Dinner being organized by the Hicksville Historical Society," said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto. "This event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 7 to 11 p.m., at the Milleridge Cottage at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho. The society is also planning a 350th Anniversary Commemorative Journal for the evening and welcomes community involvement and support to make the journal a success." For further information about the costume ball and dinner or the journal, please call Richard Evers, president of the Hicksville Historical Society, at 931-1417 or 931-0667.

Mr. Evers said, "I'm working hard on the historical journal. It will be a nice keepsake and souvenir. It will be given out to all the guests who attend the costume ball. We are hoping that as many people as possible will have some fun and dress up. I sent a two page flier which has the names of all the people of historical note in Oyster Bay and some idea of where people can buy costumes and get the material for them. I'm giving them every incentive to go out and pick a character, from my long experience in history in Oyster Bay."

They mailed the information to about 300 people. Tickets are $45 each and include dinner, music and drinks. "It's going to be an interesting affair," he said.

Supervisor Venditto said, "I commend the Hicksville Historical Society for the dedication and enthusiasm displayed in organizing the 350th Anniversary Costume Ball and Dinner, which is certain to be a gala event celebrating our history and heritage, and for sponsoring the journal."

On July 27, residents are invited to come experience the nostalgia of 19th century life in the Town of Oyster Bay, as Old Bethpage Village Restoration hosts Oyster Bay Day. "This special event celebrating the town's 350th Anniversary has been organized in cooperation with the Town's Bicentennial Historical Commission and will feature an 1877 old-time baseball game between Oyster Bay teams, the Sea Cliff Idlewilds and the Glen Head Zig Zags," the supervisor said. "The day will also feature tours of buildings originally from within the Town of Oyster Bay, brass band concerts, children's games, military drills, craft activities, and a special display of Town of Oyster Bay artifacts from the Nassau County Museum collection." Oyster Bay Day will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with reduced admission for Town of Oyster Bay residents.

Also planned for late summer and fall is a series of lectures/tours to highlight the local history of various communities throughout the town. The lectures and tours are being sponsored by local historical societies and are planned in Massapequa, Farmingdale, Bethpage, Jericho, Hicksville and Oyster Bay.

Thomas Kuehhas, director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society gave a 350th anniversary lecture on the daily life of the Revolutionary war soldiers on June 8 and John Hammond, a local historian, spoke on the original settlement of Oyster Bay on April 15.

The Oyster Bay Historical Society is planning an exhibit and events centered around "350 years of Oyster Bay History Through Art." The exhibit will open on Nov. 16.

"All residents are cordially invited to attend the many 350th Anniversary events planned for this summer and fall and join in celebrating the distinctive history of the Town of Oyster Bay and the fine quality of life that continues to set our town apart as one of the finest places in the world in which to live and raise a family," Venditto said.

For further information on the Town of Oyster Bay anniversary activities visit the town's website, www.oysterbaytown.com, or call 624-6380.