BATH — The First Port Celebration has paid off for the Town of Bath with a donation from an organization spearheading town beautification.

During Monday’s town meeting, the Greater Bath Foundation donated $11,580.96 to the Town of Bath for the purchase of a Hustler 60-inch, zero-turn mower. The money donated to the Town was half of the proceeds from the Memorial Day weekend First Port Celebration and fundraiser, an event that commemorated the 300^th year anniversary of the port town. True Value of Bath agreed to sell the Town the mower at cost, according to Mariann McQueen, treasurer of the foundation.

Earlier this year, Greater Bath Foundation organized the planting of 48 live oak and crepe myrtle trees through a North Carolina Department of Transportation grant, and the donation to purchase the mower is part of a commitment to help maintain the trees and the help the town maintain its mowing responsibilities, according to Mariann McQueen, treasurer of the foundation. True Value of Bath agreed to sell the town the mower at cost, McQueen said.

The Town, Greater Bath Foundation, the Bath Fest committee and the Historic Bath Commission partnered to host the First Port Celebration, which was a huge success, according to McQueen. PotashCorp-Aurora (PCS), as well as approximately 60 other local businesses, came forward to support the celebration, as well.

“We’re very thankful to PCS for stepping up and being the very first and premier sponsor because they gave us the confidence to move forward with the event,” McQueen said. “That was the best part of it. If PCS hadn’t helped us to get started, it would have been very difficult to do. The whole event was just so successful.”

Bubs Carson, Bath town manager, said the Town has really enjoyed the relationship with the foundation and appreciates its efforts in planning, organizing and fundraising for the celebration. The Town has received a lot of positive feedback, prompting the foundation and town officials to plan another event for next Memorial Day, according to Carson.

“They really stepped up and volunteered to help the Town, and they took the lead in all of those areas,” Carson said. “It’s been a successful partnership, and I think the citizens of our community and Beaufort County enjoyed the celebration.”

Ray McKeithan, manager of public affairs with PCS, said PCS was excited to get involved and partner to commemorate the special anniversary and honor the unique qualities of the state’s oldest town.

“As the presenting sponsor, we wanted to make an early commitment to show our support, and we were joined by many other civic-minded businesses and individuals,” McKeithan said. “We are pleased that the Town of Bath and its residents will benefit from proceeds made possible, in part, by our support. Community investment through philanthropic support demonstrates our sincere commitment to give back where we live and work.”