By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Get your Red, White and Blue ready because Tucker County is gearing up to celebrate the America’s 250th Birthday. America’s 250th Main Street Celebration will be held on Walnut and 2nd Street in Parsons on Thursday, July 2nd.
“We and the Commission believed this would be a great opportunity to get our youth involved in the community,” Chief Deputy Clerk Lisa Gothelf said.
Events begin at 10 a.m. with the America250 Ceremony. The Ceremony will begin with a welcome by Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau, followed by the posting of the Colors by the Parsons VA Association. The National Anthem will be sung by the Blackwater Chapter of the DAR. There will also be a presentation of the Declaration of Independence Scroll and a Dedication of the America250 Mural and a Time Capsule.
The Scroll and Time Capsule were sent by Governor Morissey’s Office. Submissions for the Time Capsule are being accepted through June 30th. Items can be dropped off at either the Mountain Top or Five Rivers Libraries during their normal business hours.
At 9 a.m., Belva Dilly of the Historical Society will be hosting a Historical Walking Tour of Parsons. Those interested in attending should meet at the Historic Courthouse.
At 11 a.m., there will be a Parsons City Block Party, featuring free hot dogs and family activities until 2 p.m. The City of Parsons co-sponsored the Block Party. The County are coordinating with Parsons City Manager Mike Simmons and office staff Rachel Wilfong on the free hot dogs, popcorn, D.J., face painting and other children’s activities.
The Historic Tucker County Courthouse will also be open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for self guided tours. Also at 11 a.m., the Five Rivers Libraries will be handing out some July 4th treats and swag, while supplies last, until 3 p.m. The Library and Mountain Top Library gathered articles from the community for the event.
The day will end at 6 p.m. with a Historical Reenactment. The Parsons Depot will host an interview with Martha Washington and a visit from Revolutionary War Captain Salathiel Goff.
Don’t forget to pick up a passport at the event welcome table to be entered for a gift basket.
The event is sponsored in part a $5,000 grant from the Tucker County CVB as part of the America250 Mural Project, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts to commission a hand-painted mural that honors the part patriots played in the founding of America. The mural was completed by Tucker County High School Art Teacher Frank Puskas and his students and is being hand painted by Frank Puskas and Senior Alyssa Bolyard.
Tucker County High School Shop Teacher Dave Nelson and his shop class sand blasted the old jail gates saved from the historic courthouse.
“Our amazing maintenance guys Joe Long and Bennie Kisamore put it all together for us,” Gothelf said.
An additional $1,000 grant was awarded by the Tucker County CVB towards promoting and landscape. Other Sponsors for the event include The City of Parsons and Blackwater Falls State Park.
The America’s 250 Main Street Celebration will be held Thursday, July 2nd at the corner of Walnut and 2nd.
