Flyer courtesy of The Jackson Madison County Bicentennial Commission; background, Shutterstock
The Jackson Madison County Bicentennial Commission will kick off the year-long celebration of the City of Jackson and Madison County’s 200-year anniversaries with an event unlike anything that has ever been hosted in Downtown Jackson August 14.
Festivities for the Birthday Bash Kick off event will start at 2 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market and will feature live music, family-friendly activities, food and more. The full itinerary can be found at jacksonmadison200.com. Highlights include the following:
2 p.m. – Family activities including train rides, petting zoo, life-size games, crafts, storytime, emergency vehicles, slides, obstacle course, escape room, scavenger hunt, living history reenactors and more.
2 p.m.- Live music from the Sounds of Jackson stage at the corner of Shannon St. and Main St., will feature gospel music from Patricia Cooper & Family, E. J. Shelton, Kelsea Merriweather and Wesley Johnson; and followed by Scott Myatt Music, Gloria White, La Ley Band, Angela Northern Smooth Jazz Progression.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.- Food trucks including The Owl’s Nest, 2 Picky Chicks, Hot Pop Kettle Corn, Family Egg Rolls, The Farmer’s Perk, LaCubanita and Carter’s Concessions.
6 p.m. – The ribbon cutting to mark the beginning of the bicentennial year will be performed by City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger, Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris and Bicentennial Commission Co-Chair Elaine Christian. Immediately following introductions, live music will begin at Jackson’s AMP at the Market featuring Hub City Mass Youth Choir, Carita Cole, The Doublewides, Bryan Moffitt and Magi Band.
-more- To celebrate the event, LIFT Wellness Center will offer two free yoga classes at 10 a.m. in front of the Amp (bring a mat) and at 2:30 p.m. in the Lift at Studio 1. Plus, admission to the Carnegie will be free on this day for anyone interested in learning more about musical legends from Jackson and Madison County.
Jackson Transit Authority (JTA) will provide free rides on August 14 to and from downtown. Ticket passes are required and can be picked up at City Hall and Jackson Transit Authority.
JTA will also provide a free trolley shuttle from the Civic Center to downtown for overflow parking. Ticket passes are not required for the trolley. The Birthday Bash Kickoff Celebration is made possible by Voya Financial Advisors – Jackson, TN and FirstBank. Legacy sponsors for the bicentennial include the City of Jackson, Madison County, Jackson Energy Authority and West Tennessee Healthcare.
Follow @jacksonmadison200 on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the Birthday Bash Kickoff Celebration and other Jackson Madison County Bicentennial events. Information is also posted at jacksonmadison200.com.
About the Jackson Madison County Bicentennial Celebration
The City of Jackson and Madison County will both celebrate bicentennial anniversaries, respectively in 2022 and 2021. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime commemoration of 200 years of history, culture and community. Madison County was established by the Tennessee Legislature on November 7, 1821, and was named after James Madison, a Founding Father and fourth President of the United States. The City of Jackson was originally known as Alexandria, but it was renamed on August 17, 1822, in honor of Andrew Jackson, a Tennessee native and seventh President of the United States.
City Mayor Scott Conger and County Mayor Jimmy Harris asked local community volunteer Elaine Christian to serve as Commission Chair. Other Bicentennial Organizing Commission members include Anita Kay Archer, Ted Austin, Leigh Anne Bentley, Trey Cleek, Gayle Gilbert, Loni Harris, Dennis Henderson, Ken Newman, Judy Renshaw, Randy Wallace, Glenn Vaulx and Marda Wallace.
In addition to the August 14th, 2021 Kick-off event, planning is underway for multiple other events during the year-long celebration, including a Celebration of Madison County’s formation in November 2021, 200 Voice Choir performance, monthly themed educational programs, partnerships with local organizations, and a community homecoming celebration. The culmination of the year-long celebration will occur in August 2022 with the dedication of a public art project – the creation of a time capsule to be opened in 50 years and a musical celebration with fireworks.
August 14, 2021
Birthday Bash- Kickoff Bicentennial Year
Downtown Jackson
November 13, 2021
Celebration of the 200th birthday of Madison County
The Ned
June 1, 2022
Unveiling of the City of Jackson Time Capsule from 1972 Muse Park
August 12, 2022
200 Voice Choir
Civic Center
August 13, 2022
Bicentennial Celebration Event: Parade and Concert
Ballpark
For more information, visit jacksonmadison200.com or email celebrate@jacksonmadison200.com.
