Pictured are past inductees to the Biddeford Hall of Fame. Nominations for this year’s Hall of Fame recipients are due July 27. Courtesy photo

BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center (BCHC) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Biddeford Hall of Fame, an annual BCHC program, now in its sixth year, that recognizes and celebrates the citizens of Biddeford or non-residents who have contributed to the history, heritage and culture of the city or the world at large in a significant way.

Honorees will be inducted at a ceremony tentatively set for Saturday, Sept. 23, at noon at Biddeford City Hall Council Chambers.

“We are very excited to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of those connected with the community. It’s important to remember where we came from and how far we can go,” said Diane Cyr, BCHC board president. “It’s great to be able to share some of the stories, the
people and events that make Biddeford what it is today — a better place to live and work — with the community and relatives of those being honored. BCHC is proud to host this event and hopes to make this a special celebration for everyone involved.”

Nominations should be sent in on the official nomination forms available on the BCHC website, although any application will be considered. Deadline for submissions is July 27, 2023.

Nominations that were submitted in past years, but not selected, will also be considered along with this year’s nominations. Voting is conducted by the Hall of Fame (HOF) Selection Committee, composed of members of the BCHC and the Biddeford Historical Society, the
mayor, and members of the public. The selection process will also take into consideration the significance of a nominee’s ethnic background. People may nominate themselves.

According to Denis Litalien, chair of the (HOF) Committee, the last five years’ selection processes were difficult. “With 400-plus years of history, this city has produced many excellent nominees,” he stated. “More than 80 people have been nominated, and 30 have, thus far, been recognized as a result of their work ethic, talents, perseverance and accomplishments.” The 30 inductees, he said, are featured prominently in a display at the Biddeford City Hall, which is open to the public for viewing during business hours. For a period after the induction ceremony,
they are also featured on banners hung from the streetlight poles on Main Street in Biddeford.

At last year’s event, Mayor Alan Casavant noted, “This award is a perfect way to put a spotlight on people who have made deep contributions to our community. It could be the talented workers who came here from Turkey or Albania and used their ingenuity to create cloth known all over the world for its quality. It could be the Native Americans who were here in the beginning and helped so many Europeans flourish. It could be the women who were the matriarchs of their families and helped inspire a new generation in Biddeford.”

Immediately following the induction ceremony, family and friends of the inductees will be treated to some of downtown Biddeford’s local restaurants while banners with their likenesses will be hung on the City Hall area streetlights. Representatives of BCHC will be present for
those interested in learning more about the organization and its other programs serving the community and will answer any questions about getting involved.

To nominate someone for the Biddeford Hall of Fame, please submit no more than two pages of text along with the nomination form to: BCHC, c/o Diane Cyr, PO Box 896, Biddeford, ME 04005-0896 or email documents to bchc04005@gmail.com. Documents may also be submitted via the website at www.BiddefordCulturalandHeritageCenter.org or submitted to any BCHC Board member or HOF Committee Member. For more information, contact BCHC President Diane Cyr at 207-283-3993.