The Barrington 300 gala will be held this Saturday at Rhode Island Country Club. The celebration of the town's tricentennial begins at 5:30 p.m.

The gala will serve as a high-point in the year-long celebration. It will include a special buffet, complimentary champagne, dancing and more. The event is open to the public.

Making its debut at the gala will be a special Barrington 300 medallion. Designed by the artist Ted Hail, the medallions will be sold at the gala.

"I wanted something old and something new," said Mr. Hail on his design. "'Old' is represented by the gables of our landmark town hall of 1888. 'New' is represented by the Barrington Bridge of 2014."

The 1856 Lantern of the Nayatt Point Lighthouse in the lower ring of the medallion represents the 19th century maritime heritage of Barrington. These images are modeled in low relief and produced by Barrington Manufacturing Co. on a solid brass medallion. The back of the medallion records Barrington boundary changes over 300 years.

Mr. Hail is a Barrington native and graduate of RISD, class of 1974, where he majored in illustration. Mr. Hail works in pencil, pastels, oil and watercolor paints, and acrylics. He recently retired from a long career as a graphic designer for Amica Insurance Company and is now writing a novel.

The images have a personal meaning for Mr. Hail: "When the Town Hall was the Library, I used to dodge Mr. and Mrs.'s Riccio's dancing school by reading books on marine life in the basement and I would stand outside to hear the twelve o'clock whistle echoed by the one in Warren across town."  

About the Barrington Bridge, Mr. Hail said "I would ride my bike 'Red Lightning' and stop at the top of Barrington Bridge to look at red sponges growing on the piers and at boats going under the bridge..." 

Mr. Hail also said the Barrington Bridge also symbolizes a connection — between people, places, religions and work from 1717 to 2017.

Tickets for the gala cost $75 each and can be reserved by calling Bonnie Warren at 401-270-4160. Walk-in tickets cost $100 each.