The state of Alabama turns 200 years as a state on Saturday. The celebration begins with a concert tonight and that is followed by a parade, bicentennial park dedication, and festival on Saturday.
Governor Ivey has invited the whole state to come to Saturday’s events.
The Saturday celebration begins at 10 AM with a parade of Alabama people, places and history. The parade will begin at Court Square Fountain in Montgomery. The parade will be,\ a cavalcade of marching bands, city floats, living history on wheels—such as the USS Alabama Battleship Park and US Space and Rocket Center—elected officials, cute kids, beauty queens and special Alabama Notables will travel Dexter Avenue toward the State Capitol. More than 70 entries from around the state will showcase our Alabama communities. The parade will conclude with the more than 150 member Bicentennial All Star Band performing an original composition: Something in the Water By: Anthony Krizan, Cheryl DaVeiga, Jerry Foster and Robert W. Smith
At noon Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) will lead ceremonies that will include the official dedication of Alabama Bicentennial Park. Located at the foot of the Alabama State Capitol on Dexter Avenue, the park will tell the story of Alabama in 16 bronze plaques mounted on Alabama granite bases.
At 1:00 p.m. the Alabama Bicentennial festival will be celebrated. The afternoon festival will offer exhibitions, performances and open houses in the Capitol Complex, up and down Dexter Avenue and throughout downtown Montgomery. The Alabama State Capitol and Alabama Department of Archives and History will host performances and presentations in their buildings and children’s games, traditional arts/ crafts demonstrations and historic reenactors on their grounds. Museums, galleries, restaurants, and stores will host tours, exhibitions, and activities. The Alabama State Council on the Arts Gallery, in partnership with Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center from Camden, will feature exhibits and sales of works by contemporary Alabama artists.
There will be: free family-friendly event, historical re-enactors, craft/art demonstrations, performers, games and family activities, performances, talks, readings, dance, tours/open houses, special exhibitsm and multiple Performance stages
At 4:00 p.m. the Alabama Bicentennial concert and finale presentation will be held on the capitol steps. The Grand Finale will be presented by The Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
On Sunday, December 15th at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. there will be an encore final presentation at the Alabama Attorney General Building.
Dr. Condoleeza Rice, Reuben Studdard, Roy Wood Jr, Jett Williams, Dr. Regina Benjamin, and Taylor Hicks will be among the many notables present.
