Governor Ivey Announces the Launch of Alabama Bicentennial Celebration

MOBILE – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey will help the city of Mobile raise the first flag for the commemoration of Alabama’s 200th birthday and you’re invited!
ALABAMA 200, a three-year celebration of the anniversary of statehood, will reach every county and corner of the state. It begins in the historic heart of Mobile, the state’s oldest city.
The launch will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017 with a formal ceremony to be followed by musical entertainment and free admission to many of the city’s historic sites, including the History Museum of Mobile, the Exploreum, and the Mardi Gras Museum.
Governor Ivey, U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne, Alabama Senator Arthur Orr, Ed Bridges, the director emeritus of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson will take part in the event.
Governor Ivey said the bicentennial is not just about celebrating Alabama’s past, but its future.
“Alabama has a rich history. As we embark on the three-year celebration of our 200th anniversary, we will be reminded of the hard work, dedication, and resolve of our people,” Governor Ivey said. “Yet, our bicentennial is not only about our past accomplishments as a people, it is also a launching point for the untold numbers of innovations that will come from Alabamians in the next 200 years.”
Mobile’s new Mardi Gras Park will be the hub of activities, which include a makers’ market, face painting and live music. The evening will wind up with fireworks over the Mobile River at approximately 8 p.m. Food vendors and musical entertainment will continue until 10 p.m.
Stimpson says Mobile is known as the city “born to celebrate” for good reason. “The first Mardi Gras happened in Mobile,” he notes, “and we hosted the launch of the state’s sesquicentennial.
“There is no better place to kick off this celebration, and the city is poised to make it as memorable, diverse and celebratory as we know how.”
In addition to the activities in Mardi Gras Park and tours of historic sites, visitors can take advantage of specials in the downtown shops and restaurants and an exhibition of work by artist William Christenberry at the Mobile Museum of Art.
Carolyn Feltus, chairwoman, and members of the Mobile Bicentennial Launch Committee have been working with the city since last fall to plan the event.
“We have had enormous support from the mayor’s office, as well as extensive involvement from the Mobile Convention and Visitors Center and other city offices,” notes Feltus. “We want everyone to come visit our beautiful city and help launch this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary.”
For more information about the launch, as well as more information about ALABAMA 200, go to www.ALABAMA200.org.
Contacts:
Lee Sentell
Alabama Tourism Department Director
334-328-2623 cell
[email protected]
George Talbot
Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs
City of Mobile
251-459-4814 cell
[email protected]
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