Have you been seeing Alabama 200 everywhere? If not, you will be. It's a 3-year celebration of Alabama's Bicentennial, and it's kicking off this Friday in Mobile.
Fireworks and free family fun this Friday!
Governor Ivey Announces the Launch of Alabama Bicentennial Celebration
MOBILE â Alabama Governor Kay Ivey will help the city of Mobile raise the first flag for the commemoration of Alabamaâs 200th birthday and youâre invited!
ALABAMA 200, a three-year celebration of the anniversary of statehood, will reach every county and corner of the state. It begins in the historic heart of Mobile, the stateâs oldest city.
The launch will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017 with a formal ceremony to be followed by musical entertainment and free admission to many of the cityâs historic sites, including the History Museum of Mobile, the Exploreum, and the Mardi Gras Museum.
Governor Ivey, U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne, Alabama Senator Arthur Orr, Ed Bridges, the director emeritus of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson will take part in the event.
Governor Ivey said the bicentennial is not just about celebrating Alabamaâs past, but its future. âAlabama has a rich history. As we embark on the three-year celebration of our 200th anniversary, we will be reminded of the hard work, dedication, and resolve of our people,â Governor Ivey said. âYet, our bicentennial is not only about our past accomplishments as a people, it is also a launching point for the untold numbers of innovations that will come from Alabamians in the next 200 years.â
Mobileâs new Mardi Gras Park will be the hub of activities, which include a makersâ market, face painting and live music. The evening will wind up with fireworks over the Mobile River at approximately 8 p.m. Food vendors and musical entertainment will continue until 10 p.m.
Stimpson says Mobile is known as the city âborn to celebrateâ for good reason. âThe first Mardi Gras happened in Mobile,â he notes, âand we hosted the launch of the stateâs sesquicentennial.
âThere is no better place to kick off this celebration, and the city is poised to make it as memorable, diverse and celebratory as we know how.â
In addition to the activities in Mardi Gras Park and tours of historic sites, visitors can take advantage of specials in the downtown shops and restaurants and an exhibition of work by artist William Christenberry at the Mobile Museum of Art.
Carolyn Feltus, chairwoman, and members of the Mobile Bicentennial Launch Committee have been working with the city since last fall to plan the event.
âWe have had enormous support from the mayorâs office, as well as extensive involvement from the Mobile Convention and Visitors Center and other city offices,â notes Feltus. âWe want everyone to come visit our beautiful city and help launch this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary.â
Here's a LINK to other activities planned ... and there are a lot... over the next 3 years.