Pope County is planning pageantry, plays, potlucks and promenades as it preps for its July 1-10 Bicentennial celebration with a wide variety of cultural, historical and recreational events for all ages.
Period reenactments, plays, and assorted curiosities — including a beard-judging contest, bounce houses, bell choir and many other musical events — are scheduled for the edification and entertainment of southeastern Illinois residents.
On Friday, July 1 the local post office will feature a special Bicentennial postal cancellation, with musical and dramatic courtyard entertainment and speakers.
No summer celebration would be complete without fireworks, slated for Saturday, July 2; citizens are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, mingle with their neighbors and enjoy the show.
The remaining dates will highlight school reunions, communal meals, open houses at the Golconda Presbyterian Church, and special multi-media programs illuminating local history, as well as plenty of children’s games, an ice cream social and historical house tours.
To bring Pope County’s history to life, a period dress gathering and parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, July 9, with the gala’s final event, “Abraham Lincoln & Tad,” presented 2 p.m. Sunday, July 10.
So that participants of all ages can plan ahead, a complete and detailed schedule of events is available on Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau’s website at http://southernmostillinois.com/events/bicentennial-summer-celebration/.
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