The South Locust Street Historical Fair is making plans to return on Saturday, May 1st, following a year off due to COVID-19. It’s one of three annual events the Centralia City Council is being asked to approve on Monday night’s agenda. The others are the Centralia American Legion’s annual 4th of July Homecoming and fireworks display and the Farmer’s Market.
The Centralia Historic Preservation Commission is the sponsor of the South Locust Street Historical Fair. Community Development Director Gayla Harting says it will return with a new feature.
“Our trolley from Centralia will be loading people at the History Museum and taking them past the old bandshell and out to the cemetery. It will stop at a few different monuments and chapel. We will have someone on the trolley explaining the significance of those places.”
Harting says the trolley will drop everyone off at city hall, where John Stuehmeyer of the Historical Commission will provide a slide show of the buildings in the 100 and 200 blocks of South Locust so those in attendance will know the history of the buildings they will see.
“We will be spread out a little further of course. We will still ask people to stay safe, use hand sanitizer, wear masks and keep their distance. But we are very much looking forward to having an outdoor event and letting everyone celebrate again in our area.”
The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to temporarily close South Locust from East Broadway to East Third for the event.
The Centralia American Legion is asking for use of Fairview Park for the annual 4th of July Celebration from July 1st through the 4th. A fireworks display will cap the annual Homecoming on the evening of July 4th, with July 5th as a rain date. The legion is asking to use three pavilions for the vendors and car show.
The council will also receive a request from the organizers of the annual Farmers Market on the city parking lot at the corner of Locust and Second Street. The fair is planning to operate beginning in May until October 23rd. The vendors will be spaced out to encourage social distancing and safety recommendations will be followed by vendors. The council is also being asked to name Terry Herrell as Market Master.
