The Town of Elizabethtown will kick off its yearlong celebration of its 250th anniversary with a parade, Revolutionary War displays, and a traditional Celtic music band on Saturday, March 4.
According to the organizers, five events will happen from March to November, each celebrating a 50-year period of the town’s history. The kickoff date was chosen because in March of 1773, the charter designating 100 acres of land on the Cape Fear River as the Town of Elizabeth was signed.
Founders Day will start with a parade down Broad and Poplar Streets at 10 a.m. Organizers are requesting that descendants of the founding fathers or the patriots who participated in the Battle of Elizabethtown celebrate their own history by putting an entry in the parade. Parade entries are not limited to those individuals but can be a business, church, organizations and anyone else who “found” themselves in Elizabethtown.
At 11 a.m., Mayor Sylvia Campbell and other dignitaries will officially recognize the 250th anniversary, followed by presentations on the establishment of the town and the story of the Battle of Elizabethtown at the Cape Fear Farmers Market, 106 MLK Dr. Several Revolutionary Way displays will be manned by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolutions.
At noon, Barrownburn will perform traditional Celtic Music. There will also be vendors of various types, including colonial glass blowers and activities for the children. Events at the Farmers Market will last until 3 p.m.
Other events planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary include: May 7 with a focus on the Civil War Era, July 8 focusing on the importance of agriculture, September 23 focusing on major industry leaders and, finally, modern time will be celebrated during the annual Pork & Beats Festival on November 3-4.
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