Bicentennial plans for Oconee County

Watkinsville Bicentennial planning
Jan. 31, 2005
Oconee Living Section
Athens Banner-Herald

Watkinsville prepares for bicentennial celebration

By Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Correspondent

A couple of dozen Oconee County residents joined all five members of the Watkinsville City Council and the Mayor Jim Luken in plotting, planning and scheming the myriad ways the city can celebrate its 200th birthday this year Tuesday evening.

This informal session was a free flowing exchange of ideas and plans. Several separate committees were formed including one for projects, special events, mementos, others and a steering committee to help focus and finalize the creative committees.

Council member Samantha Purcell promised to head the projects committee, with some possible planting of a live Christmas tree. Watkinsville resident Kathleen McQuiston suggested planting 200 trees to commemorate the birth of the city once known as Big Springs.

Other ideas included an upgrade of the community center, to beautify the entrance and exit signs of the city to include the new municipal slogan “the Artland of Georgia.”

Charles Grimes of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce commented that the Rotary Club would volunteer to paint the Community Center.

Council member John Walsh, Jr. will head the committee in charge of special events, which may include OCAF facilities or Rocket Field. Peggy Holcomb volunteered to help organize a dinner-dance of a formal nature with a special guest of honor. Council member Mike Link suggested having a “big old barbecue blow-out on Rocket Field.” Walsh lives adjacent to both areas.

Council member Joe Walter was selected to head up the memento portion of the celebration, with ideas ranging from license plates to t-shirts to spoons, bowls, flags and commemorative coins. The idea of selling photo postage stamps of various Watkinsville landmarks appealed to resident Jeannette Howell, who also has many newspaper clippings she hopes to put into a book someday.

Council member Brian Brodrick will serve as the liaison on the coordination committee, which will include publicity efforts from Kate McDaniel. This committee would try to coordinate all the activities so they do not conflict or overlap.

Link will head up the “other” activities that might include a possible bicentennial bike ride, 5K-road race, reenactments and a proclamation from Governor Sonny Perdue.

Luken also mentioned the existing events including the Fall Festival scheduled for Oct. 21 and the Christmas parade as events to cap the yearlong celebration.
Members of the community are encouraged to participate in any way possible.