W. TERRY SMITH
The Town of Tarboro’s 250th birthday is Nov. 30, 2010, but the birthday party will be Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010.
Councilman John Jenkins, chairman of the birthday committee, explained the September date coincides with the Arts Council’s annual History Day(s) and the weather should be more favorable.
The theme is “Then, Now and Beyond.”
The party will include a picnic on the Town Common, speakers and the slicing of a birthday cake.
An exhibit of Colonial North Carolina is planned for the Blount-Bridgers House. The Edgecombe Garden Club will have its annual tour of homes the same weekend.
However, Jenkins admitted letters inviting dignitaries have yet to be mailed.
“We have plenty of time,” he said.
He said U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-1st District; his brother, state Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe; and state Reps. Joe Tolson, D-Edgecombe and Jean Farmer-Butterfield, D-Wilson, would be invited.
In interviews with four members of the committee, there was no mention of inviting the governor or having the General Assembly meet in Tarboro.
The General Assembly met in Tarboro in 1787 and 1987.
The town will serve lemonade in commemorative cups that residents can save.
Each month next year will have an event, although plans are not finalized.
Schoolchildren will have an exhibit of art in the vacant store windows downtown.
A “Paint the Town” themed art show in which artists focus on the town is planned, sponsored by the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council and the Tarboro Artists Guild. The winner’s painting will be reproduced and sold to raise money.
The Community Chorus will present a concert on Sunday, Nov. 7.
The committee also is trying to line up a military jump team to parachute into the Tarboro High School stadium in either September or November.
Also in November are the Edgecombe County Veterans Museum’s annual Star-Spangled Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 6 and the Pilot Club’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11.
The town is working with ElectriCities to publish a commemorative 2010 calendar that will be sold to raise funds.
The Daily Southerner published an 18-month calendar last month.
The committee does not have a budget, but has received a $600 grant from the Community.
The town is furnishing red town tags that will feature the dates 1760-2010 to be distributed when residents play their taxes.
Jenkins mentioned a glass paperweight with the town’s emblem might be part of a tote bag.
Banners for the town’s streetlights also are planned.
School Social Worker Dana Alexander is preparing a local history booklet for fourth-graders.
The Sounds of Gold, featuring 36 singers from around Eastern North Carolina, including Tarboro, will present a concert on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, at Keihin Auditorium. Tickets will be $10.
Early College English instructor Jamie Hathaway is looking into the possibility of her students doing some interviews that might be made into a book.
In 1960, the town celebrated its 200th birthday with week-long events and men who did not grow beards paid fines and/or were dunked in the Wyatt Fountain.
