By Ruksana Hussain
As statewide and national celebrations are planned for the 250th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America, counties across Alabama are gearing up for local festivities spanning the next few months.
The America250 Alabama Commission is leading efforts, providing a central community hub with toolkits for everyone to access and sharing the many ways Alabamians can participate in the nationwide celebration. The Commission allocated $725,000 in grant funding for local counties, communities, and organizations to encourage programming for this occasion. To date, at least one grant has been awarded within every county in Alabama.
The American Village in Montevallo is Alabama’s Designated Semiquincentennial Celebration Capitol, hosting the state’s official celebration, Sweet Home 250, July 3-4. The two-day event will feature 18 musical acts including Taylor Hicks, Roman Street, the Blind Boys of Alabama and others, celebrity chef demos, food-eating contests and much more.
A living history museum and educational nonprofit, the American Village is located on a 188-acre campus, offering first-person historical interpretation of the colonial and Revolutionary eras with costumed interpreters, authentic settings, and immersive, hands-on experiences. Since 1999, it has served as an educational institution engaging and inspiring visitors, with a special emphasis on programs for young people.
Statewide initiatives organized for the occasion include a Stitching America’s Story quilt project and a Liberty Trees plantation drive. One quilt square each is expected from approximately 30 quilt guilds in Alabama, each square showcasing some aspect of its community or county of creation. These quilt squares will be joined together to create a single commemorative quilt for the 250th, with the finished quilt on display in July at Sweet Home 250. The Commission funded 68 Liberty Trees and bronze plaques as legacy gifts for the semiquincentennial – one for each county in Alabama and one for
American Village. More at america250al.org
A nod to history
Highlighting nature and legacy during these celebrations is the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area annual photo contest, back after a two-year hiatus, and with a little challenge as well. The new “Landmarks and Legacies” theme gives participants a chance to truly celebrate Northwest Alabama’s history with a nod to America’s 250th birthday.
“We chose this theme for our photo contest because landmarks honor events, places, and times that impacted the entire region, or simply made a difference in one person’s life. And legacies are stories and ideas passed down through generations that have taken root and made a difference in our lives today,” says Jessie M. Johnson, programs coordinator at MSNHA.
The photo contest opened in February and runs through August. Entries will be showcased on the MSNHA social media channels and displayed for viewing at Florence Arts and Museums. The winning entry from the gallery show will receive a cash prize donated by the venue.
“MSNHA wanted to participate in the semiquincentennial, but as we are all aware, Alabama was not a colony and thus not an active member of the Continental Congress,” Johnson says. “However, the impact of the Declaration of Independence can be felt in our local history. Our theme, Landmarks and Legacies, is a way to encourage our community to think about our landscape, architecture, and history and the lasting impact it has had on them.”
Images reflecting MSNHA’s mission of protecting and promoting the Tennessee River, indigenous culture and music in its six-county region of Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan are welcome.
Taking a deep dive into Alabama’s past is the “History First” speaker series hosted monthly at the Historic Decatur Union Depot. Upcoming sessions include Decatur’s Ghosts and Legends in July, Cotton Queen Lelia in August, and Decatur’s Founding Fathers and Churches in September. The series takes place inside the beautifully restored Union Depot, which serves as a living artifact itself, featuring original tongue-and-groove ceilings and award-winning restorations, and provides historical education that highlights Decatur’s significance on a national scale.
“Our goal with this program is to place local history at the forefront of our community’s growth,” says Suzanne Langdon, downtown events coordinator and Decatur’s historic museums supervisor. “By bringing in expert speakers to discuss everything from Decatur’s unique transit history to its pivotal role in the Civil War and the civil rights movement, we are ensuring that as our city moves toward the future, we remain grounded in our past.”
These sessions often serve as a kickoff for their wider historic district activities, including walking tours of the Bank Street corridor and Old Town.
A tribute to heritage
For those musically inclined, the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, celebrating its 60th anniversary, invites old time music fans of all ages to the campus of Athens State University from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 for live entertainment, competitions, workshops, and family-friendly activities.
Competitions culminate in the crowning of the Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion and categories include fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, string band, Appalachian buck dancing, old time singing, and bluegrass band.
This year’s entertainment lineup features performances by The Larry Sparks Show, a special Delmore Brothers tribute by Mike Compton and Andy Todd, Dale Ann Bradley, The Isaacs, and The Del McCoury Band.
The Moundville Native American Festival celebrates the state’s indigenous culture with the annual event’s 38th edition scheduled for Oct. 1-3. The Moundville Archaeological Park is 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa off Alabama Highway 69 and part of The University of Alabama. Native American artisans, traditional dances, stories and music are some of the experiences residents and visitors can partake in while also supporting local and Native American businesses at an ancient city on the Black Warrior River.
These are but a drop in the bucket when it comes to all the festivities planned to mark this moment. Other experiences include the Revolutionary Roots exhibition at Vulcan Park and Museum; Huntsville Music Month all September long, featuring more than 200 events; and a Walking Tour Series in Historic Mooresville. Details for these and other programming in the works are all available online.
For more information, visit america250al.org
