Groundbreaking ceremonies are rooted in ancient architectural rituals that involved an offering for the consecration of the ground upon which a structure was built. These buildings were temples or monuments dedicated to gods and goddesses, fundamentally offering an exchange between the person or persons who consecrated the ground, and the entity to whom the structure was dedicated, for the granting of good fortune. Today the essence of this tradition is largely included in the dedication speeches delivered by company VIPs and local government officials taking part in a first sod-cutting ceremony, and in return, these people are recognized with a memento of the event. An appropriate keepsake for this occasion is an award plaque, but sometimes we tend to either go overboard with presentation, or leave out people we shouldn't, and this raises the question about ceremonial shovels for a groundbreaking ceremony: who gets them? CeremonialSupplies.com is a proud supplier of the finest quality products for groundbreaking ceremonies, including ceremonial groundbreaking shovels, customized hard hats, groundbreaking shovel display stands, red carpet and event runners of various colors, stanchions and rope, step and repeat backdrops and commemorative plaques and awards, among many other products and to help you organize an outstanding groundbreaking ceremony, and below is a brief description of the significance of keepsakes for a sod-cutting ceremony, and suggestions on who should be receiving a commemorative plaque in a groundbreaking ceremony.
Since antiquity there has existed a belief by man, in the benevolent law of a higher power to whom man could appeal for the favor of good fortune, or a similarly positive outcome to his wishes or needs. Whether true or not, man was rewarded enough for this belief so that this request to a higher nature led to repetitions that ultimately became traditions, and to some extent, even superstition; based on the notion that if not properly requested, things would go wrong. For example, military leaders in ancient times offered the construction of temples dedicated to the god or goddess whom they had besieged for a favorable outcome in battle. The temple of Venus Erycinia in Capitoline Hill for example, ruins which still stand today in Rome, was built by Quintus Fabius Maximus, hoping to reverse his fate after a defeat in battle. Today, groundbreaking ceremonies are conducted chiefly for corporate and public buildings, although any hardcore ritualistic aficionado may carry one out when breaking ground on a backyard pool as a matter of individual preference.
The Essential Items For A Groundbreaking Ceremony
The most important item for a groundbreaking ceremony is the ceremonial groundbreaking shovel. There are many styles and designs, and CeremonialSupplies.com has a selection of quality, groundbreaking shovels, all made from stainless steel, ranging from the Standard chrome plated with a D-style metal and wood handle, to the Deluxe, polished chrome shovel with D-style metal handle, the long stem, traditional shovel, the mirror polished chrome VIP ceremonial groundbreaking shovel with D-style metal handle, or the latest addition to our assortment; groundbreaking shovels with full color blades in red, blue shovel head, orange ceremonial shovel blade, green shovel, yellow shovel, and pink ceremonial shovel. These styles are all full size shovels, (42" high with a 9.5" blade), and CeremonialSupplies.com also carries a selection of colorful groundbreaking kids shovels in red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, and teal. The kids' groundbreaking shovels are 26" high with a 6" blade, and have a D-style, all metal handles. These mini groundbreaking kids shovels are a favorite for ceremonies where children or kids will take part with their parents- a significant and symbolic gesture in general and particularly for a family business endeavor. All CeremonialSupplies.com groundbreaking shovels can be customized inhouse with your logo, a message or text printed directly on the shovel head, the stem, the handle, or all three!
You may want to consider a groundbreaking shovel and display stand kit. The benefit of a display stand is that it can be used as a display to hold the groundbreaking ceremonial shovels adorned with hard hat and bow, before they are actually used to cut first ground, and after the sod-cutting so they're not simply laying around, especially if they will be displayed later in somebody's office, lobby, or home. For a groundbreaking shovel that will be presented to a CEO, or a similarly high ranking chief who will keep and display it in an office or home, we have ceremonial shovel display cases that will protect and display the shovel for posterity.
Preparing A Speech For A Groundbreaking Ceremony
Dedication speeches for a groundbreaking ceremony are more than just words put together to welcome guests and lead them to the buffet table. These speeches represent the offering and the positive favor expected to be exchanged, and one of the most effective ways to compose a dedication speech for a groundbreaking ceremony is to first conduct research on the ground where the construction will take place. Historical facts about the area offer many references to symbolically combine values such as honor, respect, perseverance and many others that are relevant to the present. You'll be surprised at the similarities you'll be able to find, and use, between the historic past and the modern present!
Dedication speeches for a groundbreaking ceremony should be made by the president of the company, the vice president, the CEO, and where appropriate the head of an associated organization, in the case of a private company or corporation. It would also be appropriate to invite local government officials to make a speech. Take for instance, a groundbreaking ceremony for a civil engineering company. A roster of persons who should be included in the ceremony, i.e., holding shovels and digging first dirt, would be the President, the Vice President, lead roadway engineer, lead structural engineer, etc. In the case of a public building it should be the chief, or director who oversees the department under which the building will operate, for example, the dedication speech for the groundbreaking of a federal courthouse, would be made by a local Senator or Congressman or Congresswoman representing the area, a Chief US District Judge, and can include other local government officials. The person ultimately organizing the groundbreaking ceremony should remember to present these, the primary speakers and most likely the people who will be cutting first ground, with a commemorative keepsake of the occasion. Each of the persons who will hold a ceremonial groundbrekaing shovel, should be presented with one. Honorary guests, received a commemorative plaque. The plaque and the ceremonial groundbreaking shovel, should be customized with the name and date of the event, and can be accompanied with a hard hat and either a display stand or a display case that would enable the preservation of the ceremonial shovel for the future. A ceremonial groundbreaking shovel is usually presented to all who participate in the actual ceremony. Another item that can serve as a keepsake of the momentous occasion is a plaque. There are many styles of plaques and CeremonialSupplies.com has some of the most popular to choose from, all at budget friendly prices, and finely crafted quality.
Shop CeremonialSupplies.com for all your groundbreaking ceremony products, including the best quality ceremonial shovels on the web! You will be pleased with our products and prices, our attentive and knowledgeable customer service, and our prompt and flawless shipping wherever you are in the world! Click here for a shipping quote.