150th Anniversary Celebration
Celebration Overview
For the past 150 years Quitman and Brooks County have sat nestled under the shady oak trees of South Georgia; throughout which the City and County have maintained the quaint lifestyle and southern charm of yesterday, while still striving for economic growth. Thus 150 years after being established, the City of Quitman and the Brooks County Board of Commissioners are sponsoring a Sesquicentennial Celebration. The main goals of the Celebration are to promote community involvement, honor Quitman and Brooks County’s rich historical background, and to encourage citizens of surrounding areas to partake in the festivities. Planned for Saturday, August 2, 2008 on the Brooks County Courthouse Lawn, the 150th Anniversary should work to achieve these goals in a fun, entertaining, and educational environment.
Events will start at 7:00a.m. with a 5k walk and run and a 1 mile run, walk, or ride for kids. All racers will receive shirts and prizes as well as trophies for the top males, females, girls and boys. Following the race, the Celebration will officially be opened by Miss Teen Georgia and other distinguished guests at 10:00a.m. Food and craft vendors will be on set up all day and bounce houses, games, and face painting will be available for children. Judging for the Birthday Cake Contest will follow the program, where contestants will compete for the People’s Choice, Best Decorated, Best Tasting, and Best Overall Prizes. The Camellia 500 Pinewood Derby Race will feature cars sponsored and decorated by local businesses and will begin with inspection at 11:00 and races starting at 12:00. The Digital Scavenger Hunt; where participants will compete by taking pictures of the downtown landmarks described in clues and hints; will be open for adults and children of all ages and will begin at 1:00. The Quitman Flag Design Contest (for children ages 4-13) and Essay Contest (for children ages 4-17) are geared towards children involved in summer enrichment programs with ribbons given to all entrants and trophies and prizes for the top participants at 2:00. Later that evening, the festivities will be wrapped up with a Masquerade Ball in downtown Quitman, where participants will dress up in costume from 1858, as we remember the past 150 years of history.
The City of Quitman and Brooks County Board of Commissioners would like to extend invitations to all citizens of Brooks County as well as residents of neighboring areas to help in celebrating 150 excellent years of history and growth.
For information please contact Lindsay Swengros, coordinator, by phone at 229-232-9106 or by email lindsayswengros@yahoo.com entry forms may be downloaded online here or picked up for all events at Quitman City Hall.