The Simpson County Bicentennial Celebration kicks off Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. with a ceremony at Alice Davis Park in Mendenhall.
The event will feature opening remarks and a historical address by Rosalind Rose Lee. Key note speaker is Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gibson. Local elected officials will also be on hand, along with a variety of entertainment provided by students from local schools.
From 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. the public is invited to a free luncheon at The Church at Mendenhall Fellowship Hall before moving to the Simpson County Courthouse for a birthday cake cutting, symbolizing the shared history and future of Simpson County.
The Simpson County Historical and Genealogical Society will also have an open house at the museum located at 150 West Court Avenue in Mendenhall. The museum’s exhibits offer a deep dive into the county’s storied past and the defining moments that have shaped the community.
In addition to the other events of the day, a silent auction will feature a Christmas ornament made by local artist Wade Stephenson that commemorates the Bicentennial. Stephenson made only 100 pieces of this unique offering. Ornaments numbered 2 through 4 will be exclusively up for auction, offering a rare opportunity for patrons to own a piece of this historic celebration.
All friends and residents of Simpson County are invited to attend this historic celebration. Your presence will honor our past, celebrate our present and inspire our future as we continue to build our community together. Period costumes are encouraged for all Bicentennial events!
Pioneer Sponsor for the Bicentennial is Peoples Bank; the Settler Sponsors include Farm Bureau, The McAlpin House, PriorityOne Bank and Simpson County Board of Supervisors. A full list of sponsors is available at www.SimpsonCounty200.org. For more information, email info@SimpsonCounty200.org.
In the event of inclement weather all events will be held in the fellowship hall of The Church at Mendenhall.
