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COLUMBUS 200 CELEBRATION
BY KRISTEN CEPAK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COLUMBUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITORS BUREAU
Welcome to the Columbus 200 Celebration! Columbus is the oldest surveyed and platted Anglo-American town in Texas. That is something to be proud of and worth celebrating.
Everyone is invited to the scheduled events that celebrate the heritage of Columbus. Plans are underway for a parade, dignitary reception, dinners, memorials, and spectacular events to celebrate Columbus.
The community is encouraged to contribute to the Bicentennial by submitting recipes for the “Columbus 200 Collection” cookbook. Submit your favorite family recipes for inclusion in the cookbook to columbustx200@ gmail.com by November 1.
Do you have an artistic flare? Try your hand at creating the cover for the official Bicentennial program which will be printed and distributed in the Spring. This is a perfect opportunity to show off your work. For more information contact the Chamber office at 979-7328385.
Do you want to know how you can be involved in the Bicentennial events?
November/December: Christmas on the Colorado: 200 Years of Happy Holidays
A lighted Christmas parade in downtown Columbus is planned for November 29th at 6:00 pm. The route will start at the First Baptist Church and end at Spring Street on the courthouse square. Enjoy the lighting of the Christmas Tree, music, refreshments, and visits with Santa.
The Griswold Spectacular Decorating Contest is open to both residential and commercial entries. Business owners and homeowners are encouraged to decorate in the theme of “200 Years of Happy Holidays”. There is no entry fee, cash prizes will be awarded, and the deadline to enter is November 23 by calling the Chamber at 979-732-8385. Judging will be on November 30 starting at 6 pm.
January: 200 Years and 200 More
State and local dignitaries will be hosted at the Stafford Opera House and all 200 Club members are invited to attend. If you wish to join the 200 Club, it is $200 per person with some wonderful benefits and commemorative keepsakes.
The Columbus Elementary School and St. Anthony’s Catholic School have been working together on preparing a time capsule. In 1973, during the Sesquicentennial, the Columbus Elementary School buried a time capsule, and the schools will unearth the 1973 capsule and bury another one.
February: Belles and Beaus: There’s a lot to love about Columbus
A Valentine’s dinner theatre at the Stafford Opera House is planned for February 11. The event will include an evening of glamour, dinner, and performance of “The Great Gatsby” by Fayette County Community Theater. Everyone is encouraged to dress in period costumes for the evening.
March: Hail Dear Red and White: Sports Past and Present
Plans to honor and recognize our hometown sports players from college sports, NBA, NFL, or MLB are underway, and there might be a “friendly little game” of softball between local first responders.
April: April Showers and Magnolia Flowers: Springtime in Columbus
As our history goes we have loved ones that have fallen in the line of duty. Police, firemen, EMS, and military that we wish to honor. Plans are still coming together, but the idea is to plant trees in honor of those fallen heroes at various locations around Columbus.
May: Magnolia Days Festival
What can we say about this community-loved event? The plan is to make it larger and more exciting than ever before. The best way to end the entire celebration will be to light up the sky with fireworks. Make plans to join the entire community for the grand finale of the Bicentennial Celebration at the Magnolia Days Festival on May 19-20, 2023.
For developments on these events and ways to get involved follow the Facebook pages or visit the following websites: columbustx200.org columbustexas.org 979-732-8385
Pendant designed and made by E. Cranek Designs (Evelyn Cranek owner). Keyring designed and made by 3PD Leather (Tarry Parks owner).
REIMAGINE EVERYWHERE. REIMAGINE EVERYTHING.
