Q What is happening with the planning for Emporia’s 150th birthday celebration?
A Since last February committees have been working. We are working on a major event on Emporia’s birthday which is Feb. 20, 2007. We are also planning major events July 3 and 4 of 2007. July 3 and 4 will be our big celebration. We are inviting everyone in the community to be involved.
The event on Feb. 20 will be the birthday party. We will have an old fashioned cakewalk, a hot dog and chili feed, and we will have a program. For the program, the ESU Community Chorus will be singing, and then we invited all the founding families’ descendants to speak at the program. We will also have some historic displays and some souvenirs for sale.
The Lyon County Historical Society is putting together a timeline of 150 years broken down in 50-year increments. We are also working on a commemorative book, and we are trying to compile a list of 150 notable people for the book. One thing we are asking people to do is fill out a nomination form for people they feel should be recognized. The forms will go out to area churches, organizations and businesses in the next two weeks.
On July 3 we will have a concert by Kelley Hunt, featuring Callie (Agler) Chambliss as the opening act. Both are former Emporians. On July 4th we are doing the parade and multicultural street festival. The festival will feature food, entertainment, arts and crafts from all the cultures of Emporia. That will be on Mechanic Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues. The parade will be on July 4 at 10 a.m. The Optimist Club is working on a fireworks extravaganza for that night.
There are some other things we are looking at doing the evening before the fireworks but those haven’t been determined yet. Those days will be full so we hope anyone who usually takes a trip on July 4th will stay in town for 2007.
Q Because this is a community event what are you needing people to do now?
A We could use volunteers right now to help prepare mailings, make calls, distribute fliers and put information into databases. We also need help with souvenirs and book sales. We are taking orders for the commemorative books. We are open to anyone who wants to help on any of the committees. The Chamber Vision newsletter will have a lot of the details and information packets will go out in the next week.
Q How much money are you trying to raise to have these events?
A Our total budget right now is $85,000, and we are trying to raise $50,000 from souvenir sales, concert tickets and book sales. We need that $50,000 to make sure we have some quality events. In addition to souvenir sales, we also want people to make monetary donations. Contributions can range from $50 to upwards of $5,000. Contributors will receive some recognition in the book depending on their donation. For instance, people that donate $5,000 they will get a full page ad in the book.
Q Why is celebrating this birthday important?
A It is always good to recognize where we have come from and look at our strengths and weaknesses over the last 150 years. Looking at the past can give us good insight into the future. I think these events will help bring the community together and that is why the street festival is a multicultural festival. We want all cultures represented and to participate in these events.
Q If people want to volunteer or contribute money what do they need to do?
A They can call or contact our office, 342-1803, and ask for Vanda or me. Our chairpeople are Ron Slaymaker and Evora Wheeler. People can also talk to them. Barb Newell is in charge of the birthday party, and Melissa Windsor is chairing the street festival.