Bicentennial kick-off approaches

In 2019 the state of Alabama will officially reach the landmark age of 200, and citizens, organizations and governments across the state are celebrating this bicentennial in different ways. Franklin County already has several events and activities planned, starting in February of this year.

Chris Ozbirn, Franklin County Archives director, is coordinating the bicentennial celebration for Franklin County.

It all starts Feb. 6 at the Franklin County Archives building on Limestone Street. Attendees will gather at 10 a.m. in front of the building for the first part of the event, and a new Franklin County historical marker will be revealed. “It’s an important event,” Ozbirn said.

She said the program will start with the Tuscumbia Color Guard posting the colors, followed by the Russellville High School band playing the National Anthem. Ozbirn said she has asked Jackie Richardson to give the invocation. State Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow will read aloud the resolution he wrote for the bicentennial, and local attorney and former senator Roger Bedford will speak.

“After that we’ll all go inside for a small reception,” Ozbirn said.

The reception will feature a cake Ozbirn’s daughter Buffie Ozbirn is making special for the event, plus other refreshments provided by The Order of the Eastern Star of Franklin County.

There will also be a special presentation made at the reception. Ozbirn will present all of the high schools in the county with a set of 45 books that focus on individual historic figures from the state of Alabama.

“Not many people know about it, but I’m so excited about it,” Ozbirn said.

Invitations for the kick-off have already been sent, and Ozbirn said she is excited for the kick-off and the other events in the works.