Visitors to Norton's all-town picnic will be treated to some rare treats - a ride 50 to 60 feet up in the giant REMAX advertising balloon for the first 100 visitors for $5 per person, and an evening full of fireworks.

 Tricentennial organizer Dan Rich told Norton selectmen last week the picnic committee is putting the final touches on the last big birthday event of the summer.

 Rich said a wealth of volunteers have made the process relatively smooth, and said the Aug. 14 picnic will be a late afternoon and evening affair, beginning about 5 p.m., and winding up after the fireworks show, planned for 9 p.m.

 The committee now has enough donated money for about a half hour's worth of fireworks. Tricentennial Committee member Brian Coughlin said that just last week, Roche Bros. Supermarket came through with a $2,000 donation. But Rich noted more donations will make for a longer show.

 "These will be big boomers," Rich said. He added a full slate of outdoor games will be available to all children ages 5 through 14.

 Residents are encouraged to bring picnic suppers, and a food court will be selling the usual summer fare - hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks, fried dough, popcorn, slushies and ice cream donated by Sturdy Hospital.

 The committee has landed several small bands and musical groups, but is hoping to feature a traditional big band or military concert band as well for the last hour of the party.

 The whole shebang will be at the Yelle School complex, where 600 parking spaces will be available to partiers.

 According to Coughlin, who organized Norton's First Night in December, there will be something at the picnic for all ages to enjoy.

 “First Night will be remembered for the year. This picnic will be remembered for a lifetime,” he said.

 Rich and planning sidekick Joyce Bernardo told the committee commemorative T-shirts are still available, and said the hugely successful Tricentennial parade will be available on CDs, as will the picnic.

 Some smaller events are still to come even after the picnic - the town needs to repack the time capsule and find a place to put it, and the Historical Society is assembling a souvenir booklet like the two from the past town birthday celebrations.

 Selectmen have said they want the town to hold a party of sorts for the dozens of volunteers who have worked on all the events of the anniversary year, but Rich said there are so many the Town Hall would never hold them all. They will ponder a larger space for the celebration.