A yearlong 200th Birthday Celebration for Marion County is set to begin next Tuesday, January 24th.
County Board Chair Debbie Smith and Bicentennial Committee Chair Adam Smith are inviting everyone to the kickoff at the Marion County Courthouse. Doors will open at 5:30 and the program will begin at six.
Mark Decker is one of those coordinating the birthday celebration.
“January 24th is the actual birthdate, the date Marion County was created and Salem was designated as the county seat. And that is the kickoff date for year-long activities that are still under planning. For that evening, we are having our local State Representative Blaine Wilhour will be here to make a presentation of a special resolution for the Bicentennial that highlights some of the 200 years of the people and events of the county.”
Musical entertainment will be provided by the Iuka Junior High Band and singers from the third and fourth-grade students at Iuka Grade School.
The public is invited to bring an item to include in a time capsule that can be opened at future celebrations of the county. Please include information about your item if it is not obvious what it is or the year it represents. Things to consider are old photographs (with the names of people) from events and activities over the past 200 years, old newspaper clippings, a sports jersey from your school, or an old recipe book of the foods over the years. If multiple identical items are offered for the time capsule, we will accept on a first come basis due to storage limitations.
Preliminary plans are underway to host a “Beans & Cornbread Cook-off” on Saturday, March 11th with a program to include a special presentation by U. S. Congressman Mike Bost. Several churches have been approached and will provide the beans and cornbread for the cook-off with desserts to be finalized later. Everyone who purchases a ticket for “200 Nickels” ($10.00 each) will get to vote on their favorite beans and their favorite cornbread. All proceeds will be donated back to the churches that participate in their youth ministries, food banks, or other needs of their churches.
If you have any questions or ideas, please contact Adam Smith at: asmith@marionco.illinois.gov or Debbie Smith at: DSmith@marionco.illinois.gov.
