Rye jumpstarted its 350^th birthday celebration by holding a kick-off event Thursday at the Crawford Park Mansion featuring a small taste of performances that residents will experience at events celebrating the anniversary throughout the year.

More than 50 people attended the event, including Rye Mayor Doug French, Rye Brook Mayor Joan Feinstein, Rye Town Supervisor Joseph Carvin and a host of people from local civic and cultural groups.

Carvin said it was important to celebrate Rye's anniversary because understanding the town's past will help shape its future.

"We make history and we're trying to make here [in Rye] a model American community," Carvin said.

Rye Brook Mayor Joan Feinstein echoed Carvin's sentiments.

"We all understand the present when we look back at the past," she said. "To see where you are now is a reflection of where you've been."

Thursday's event featured performances by Doug Carey, the son of Rye's former mayor John Carey, who was costumed as Peter Disbrow, one of Rye's founders. Carey performed a solo re-enactment of how Disbrow settled in and founded Rye in 1660.

Camille Linen, education director for the Port Chester Council of the Arts, directed a smaller scale version of "Flashbacks," the original musical she co-produced with Donna Cribari, a well-known pianist.

Four performers sang and acted scenes from Rye's history during the time it was purchased from Chief Shenerockwell on the shores of the Byram River.

"Flashbacks" and Carey's Disbrow performance will be part of the ongoing celebrations of the town's history.

Several other local organizations and residents also are involved in the slew of events slated for the rest of the year.

Laura Brett, president of the Rye Historical Society, said the organization will hold a colonial re-enactment at Rye Town Park on June 26 featuring a local militia that has been in existence since the founding of Rye.

"It should be just a terrific historical event that will bring history to life for everyone," Brett said.

Upcoming events include "From Ice Age to Global Warming," an event at the Rye Free Reading Room on April 24 that feature local speakers discussing how Rye's ecological environment has changed throughout its history; the Rye Historical Society Gala on May 8; Port Chester Fest on May 22, which takes place on the Port Chester Waterfront and features live bands, dance performances and international food.

For a full listing of Rye's 350^th Anniversary events, visit the Town of Rye's web site.