STATENVILLE — On Dec. 13, Echols County citizens will celebrate the 150th birthday of Echols County.
This will be the biggest birthday party held in the county since 1958 when Echols County turned 100 years old.
This year’s Sesquicentennial (150) Celebration is sponsored by the Echols County Historical Society and the Echols County Commissioners.
Throughout the year, events will be held to commemorate the 150 years of heritage that has shaped Echols County. Echols County, known as the “Last Frontier in Georgia,” is home to almost 4,000 residents and numerous other people who have lived here and moved away.
Special events throughout the year will celebrate 150 years of heritage and memories.
Sesquicentennial T-shirts are for sale at the Echols County Commissioners Office, the Echols County Tax Office, and the Echols County Historical Society (contact Lois Corbett, 559-6477). Red-and-blue shirts in children’s and adult sizes are available. Buy your shirt ($10 each; $12 for 2XL and 3XL) and wear it to the celebration.
The Sesquicentennial Celebration will kick off with a Fourth of July Celebration to be held at the Echols County Recreation Department. Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. and end shortly after dark with a Fourth of July fireworks display.
During the afternoon, there will be several short baseball and soft ball games played by Echols County Schools’ students, a Travel Team, and the Recreation Department. The final softball game of the day will be late that afternoon, played by the “Old Timers” from the teams of the 1960s and 1970s. Everyone is encouraged to come and support your favorite “Old Timers” as the teams try to recapture their youth and championship titles.
Special events are planned for all ages. Children and youth will enjoy the 18-foot waterslide, an obstacle course, a 20-foot slip and slide, other water games, a bounce house and field games.
Heat-stressed adults can cool off in the community center and enjoy bingo games from 5-8 p.m. Everyone will enjoy dunking their favorite elected officials and other volunteers at the dunking booth.
At 7:30 p.m., a special ceremony will be held to honor the many veterans of Echols County and those who are currently serving in the military. A flag pole has been donated and will be dedicated to the Echols County veterans at the ceremony.
The flag that draped the casket of Echols County World War II veteran Paul Stewart has been donated by his family and will be the first flag raised on the flag pole.
Organizers ask residents to show support for the veterans and military citizens by attending this special dedication. This landmark will honor those who have fought for our freedom and served in the various branches of the military.
Hot dogs and watermelons are essential for any Fourth of July Celebration.
Throughout the afternoon and early evening, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, drinks, and other food items will be sold at the concession area.
There will also be a watermelon-eating contest with a prize for the person eating the most watermelon.
For the first time in the 150 year history of Echols County, there will be a fireworks show shortly after dark.
The ballfield lights will be turned out and the sky will light up with the best fireworks display Echols County has ever had.
This event promises to be so “hot” that all the fire trucks and volunteer firemen will be on standby, organizers say.
Participants of the Fourth of July festivities are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
For more information about the Fourth of July Celebration or the Sesquicentennial Celebration contact the Echols County Commissioners (559-6538); Faye Pearson (559-5562 or uge4101@uga.edu); Ashley Deloach (559-5726); Billy Roberts (559-6249); Cherre Terry (cherre.terry.@
gmail.com or 559-7370).
Local News
Related Photos
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Echols County gears up for a Fourth of July celebration and other events to commemorate the county's 150th birthday. Pictured: Fadwa DeLoach, Dot McLeod, Crystal Carter, Robert Davis, Mamie Pipkins, Norman Pipkins, Gladys Deloach, Ashley DeLoach, Lois Corbett, Leon Zeigler, Faye Pearson, Lloyd Corbett, Kilia McLeod, Billy Roberts, Cherre Terry, and Larry Allen.
Discussion
Echols prepares for birthday
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