Afterglow began with a short speech by Mayor Carol Waller. She made her way amongst the Cooperstown Community Band, as they tuned up before playing at the bandstand at the park, and told members of the public what a wonderful week the bicentennial celebration had been.

Waller first thanked the band for coming out to play and for all their concerts throughout the week. Waller also thanked Bicentennial Chairperson Grace Kull, who was not yet present for the event, for all her hard work and devotion that evolved into a ``great success.’’ Waller said Kull had ``picked all the right people’’ to help make the weeklong celebration run smoothly.

``We have celebrated in style,’’ Waller said. ``I am proud to be the mayor of this wonderful village.’’

Waller said she thought the weeklong celebration, which was filled with history, lectures and many fun events, went absolutely fantastic. She said the parade will go down in history as one of the finest ever seen in Cooperstown.

The band played several songs, including ``The Cooperstown Community Band March,’’ and wrapped up with the ``Star Spangled Banner,’’ which was sung by everyone in attendance.

Kull took the microphone to tell everyone how great the week had been. She thanked the Bicentennial Committee for all their hard work along with everyone else who helped out with making the celebration possible.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer sent a proclamation, which recognized the importance of Cooperstown’s rich history. Kull read the proclamation to those at the park, and then gave it to the Mayor.

``This is a real special thing,’’ Kull said.

Candles were then handed out to those at the closing ceremony. A few candles were lit, and neighbors lit neighbors’ candles until all the candles had a flame that could be seen in the darkness of the nightfall. All the village churches range their bells 200 times to conclude the celebration of the village’s 200th birthday.

Once the festivities were over, people scurried off to their vehicles to seek warmth. However, one couple, Bob and Jean Kmieciak from Hyde Bay, stayed to get a photograph of themselves in front of the bandstand. Jean said she did not feel good that day, but still decided to come out for the closing ceremony.

``We decided to come out tonight because we thought it would be a nice night,’’ Jean said.

``And it was,’’ added Bob.

The couple said they made it to the parade, but did not make it to any of the other events throughout the week. They said they were hoping the New York State Historical Association Research Library Bicentennial Exhibit was still on display because they wanted the chance to see it, but had not made it there yet.