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Members of the Rotary Club met at the Kirbo Center on Tuesday afternoon for their weekly lunch meeting. The speaker for the day was Rosalyn Palmer, who gave the audience an update on what events to expect for the upcoming Bicentennial celebration. Palmer herself wore an old-fashioned dress in theme with the occasion.

While the official beginning of the event is next Tuesday, Monday evening will see Bainbridge Middle School students hosting their “wax” museum at the courthouse, with students portraying various local historical figures. At the same time, the Decatur County Historical and Genealogical Society Museum will also be holding their own event, a gallery of old family photos submitted by county residents. “We were having that, they were having a wax museum at school. People were either gonna go to the school, or they were gonna come to ours, they were the same time,” Palmer explained. “So we’re bringing the school downtown.” Palmer also encouraged residents to submit any old family photographs they may have for this event, requesting that they be framed and include a note card that specifies who is in the picture, in addition to when it was taken and what is happening in it. “I’m not talking about you and your children or you and your parents standing there two months ago, I’m talking, let’s backtrack to older pictures. If you’ve got those, I really want to share them in the museum next week.” These events will last from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.

Tuesday evening is when the festivities proper will begin. “At 6:00 we will have some greetings and welcomes,” Palmer said. The mayor, county commissioners, as well as Governor Kemp, are all set to give remarks. “After that short little program, we’ve got a big cake that Jenny at the bakery is helping us do,” Palmer said. “We’re gonna cut the cake with golden knives, and you’ll all be able to enjoy cake.” Additionally, there will be snacks like popcorn and cotton candy, food trucks, as well as music.

Wednesday will offer a brown bag lunch, with music provided by the BHS Symphonic and Jazz bands, as well as the BHS and BMS choral groups.

Thursday will see the Bicentennial Parade take place at 6:00 PM. Palmer pleaded for assistance and participants, saying, “Here again, I desperately need your help. People are used to a Christmas Parade, people are used to a Homecoming Parade, they aren’t used to a parade in April, and our response is pitifully low.” She continued, emphasizing how much less this would require than a usual parade, “It’s not lighted because it’s at 6:00 at night, so you don’t need lights on your entries. We’re not throwing beads, we’re not throwing candy, because it’s an old-fashioned parade… There’s no parade entry fee, so we’ve made it real, real easy.”

Friday evening has a street dance scheduled, with music from the ABAC jazz band. The event is expected to begin on either Broad or West Street at 6:00 PM, with food trucks also present that evening. The Swinging medallions will perform for the rest of the evening. “You won’t miss it no matter which street,” Palmer said.

Saturday will see downtown businesses compete in a window decorating contest. Saturday evening will be the first of two Bicentennial productions, with Will Murdoch of Swamp Gravy having written the production. According to Palmer, the production is still looking to fill roles in the cast. The first showing is scheduled for Saturday night, 7:00 PM at the Kirbo Center auditorium, with the second following on Sunday at 2:00 PM. While tickets are free, seating for this is limited; anyone interested should call 229-726-9858 for tickets.

The museum will also be offering commemorative merchandise during the Bicentennial.

Palmer concluded by taking questions from the audience.