Marion County’s Celebration with the 250th Birthday of the US began on Friday with the 1776 Dinner and a Revolutionary War Reenactment Group setting up a camp on the Fairgrounds.
One of the organizers Mark Decker feels they accomplished what they set out to do even after getting a late start.
“I am excited with the turnout. It’s amazing that we got this many people and they enjoyed, they learned, and they were appreciative of an opportunity to participate in something patriotic. The kids from Iuka Grade School are great as always. They did the bicentennial a few years ago and provided music, they were great. I think everything went really well.”
Decker estimated attendance at 170, down from the 190 tickets sold as some cancelled due to the extreme hot weather.
Wyett Colclasure II was the programs Master of Ceremonies. Retired Kaskaskia College Professor Jeffrey Sulcer provided insight on the Declaration of Independence. Greg Jones provided a history of two men in the Revolutionary War that had a big impact on Marion County when Illinois later joined the union and was formed as a county. Jones noted Revolutionary War Hero Brigadier General Francis Marion who led multiple successful battles in his home state of South Carolina and had counties in 17 states named after him. Jones says the strong battle skills of George Rogers Clark helped the Midwest become part of the U.S. At the time of the Revolutionary War, the Canadian border was the Ohio River.
The Iuka Grade School Band provided the patriotic music. Dinner was food that may have been eaten during the Revolutionary award. Everyone in attendance received a piece of the 250th Birthday case with the meal Those in attendance were asked to sign a large copy of the Declaration of Independence.
