Mendenhall will kick off its two week celebration of the Simpson County Bicentennial Saturday, June 15, at 6 p.m. with a 1970s Main Street Dance featuring the music of Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster.
The city’s events will cover the historical time frame of 1974 to present day.
Several local food vendors will be on hand for the street dance selling burgers, barbeque, drinks and ice cream. Everyone planning to attend the event is urged to dress in 1970s attire. In the event of inclement weather, the dance will be held at the National Guard Armory.
On Saturday, June 22, beginning at 10 a.m., Art in the Park will be held at Alice Davis Park featuring local artists, authors and works of the Mendenhall High School art students. A light brunch will be available free of charge, and musical guest is Cabin Crew. The event concludes at 1 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, it will move to the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church.
“Glamour to Groovy with Runway Royalty” is the theme for a fashion show also taking place Saturday, June 22. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., the show will feature 30 to 40 models including former Miss and Mrs. Mississippi winners and Miss Hospitality winners along with local residents.
Christy Rotenberry of Stephens Department Store is spearheading this event that will be held on the grounds of the Simpson County Courthouse. In the event of inclement weather the show will move to the courtroom in the courthouse.
On Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m. a dinner is scheduled on the courthouse lawn. “Dinner at Dusk under the Dome” will be a catered affair with tickets available at $25 each. The Bicentennial essay winners will read their compositions during the dinner, and dignitaries will be recognized. The keynote speaker is Chad Mixon from U.S. House of Representatives Michael Guest’s office.
A limited number of tickets is available; contact Judy Lee at 601-613-7425 to purchase. In the event of inclement weather the dinner will move to the Mendenhall Community Church Fellowship Hall.
The last event is the “Mendenhall Downtown Historic Tour – Experience the Living History of Mendenhall” Saturday June 29, 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Beginning at the Simpson County Courthouse Courtroom, residents will portray historical figures from the past including founding families of Mendenhall.
From that point, golf cart tours will transport guests beginning at the old Mendenhall Ministries (MM) building across from the courthouse down Main Street. Dr. Dolphus Weary, MM founder will be on hand to share briefly the history of the ministry.
Tours will conclude at the former Hotel Heil and the Revolving Tables Restaurant, where light refreshments will be served on the grounds. Main Street will be closed to through traffic.
Executive Committee member Judy Lee offered these comments. “It is an exciting time! There are a lot of people that are excited about it. They think back 50 years ago and what was happening. And a 200 year celebration is a time – a lot of change through the eras.”
