Louisiana got motivated in 1928 when the call went out for volunteers to help plan the grand opening of the Champ Clark Bridge.

The Louisiana Bicentennial Committee hopes that enthusiasm will blossom again for this year’s 200th anniversary celebration June 30 to July 4. Volunteers and vendors are needed.

 “We encourage civic groups, businesses, families and individuals to get involved,” said committee co-chairman Cindy Blaylock. “The more people we have, the better the celebration. We don’t expect people to work all day. We’re asking for just a few hours of their time.”

In 1928, a committee was formed to plan for the bridge dedication on June 9. The group came up with a street dance, food stands and community-wide decorations. It even set aside $500 – more than $7,000 today – to pay the many bands hired to perform.

For the bicentennial, the committee has been planning for two years, and has a wide variety of activities and events planned for all ages. Individuals, families, businesses, groups, churches and civic clubs are invited to get involved or to sponsor events.

Following are tasks that need to be filled:

*Saturday, June 30: Placement of stages, trash cans, barricades, signage, banners and sound system. During the parade, six people at the staging area, two at the high school entrance and two for parking. Two people to register vendors and two more to assist in setup. Two people to work shifts helping with stage events. A host or hostess to work with entertainers.

*Sunday, July 1: Host or hostess to work with Ministerial Alliance and manage day’s events. Host or hostess to work with vendors and vendor chair.

*Monday, July 2: Host or hostess for the day to help coordinate organizational and business events and work with Louisiana Chamber of Commerce and the Unified Economic Development Council. The committee is encouraging businesses and organizations to use this day to celebrate their contribution to the community. Open houses, sidewalk sales and other special events could be ideas.

*Tuesday, July 3: Host or hostess to work with Kids’ Day coordinator.

*Wednesday, July 4: A parade coordinator with four people at the staging area and two at Main and Georgia. Host or hostess for the vendors at riverfront.

Vendors are particularly needed for Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1. Spots at the high school grounds are available for $25 to $50 per day, depending upon size. Applications are available by logging onto www.louisiana200.com or writing to Louisiana Bicentennial, 202 S. Third, Louisiana, Mo., 63353.

Volunteers may also sign up on the website or call 573-754-5921 and leave a message.

Buffalo Township United Fund is hosting a “farm to table” dinner with advanced reservations required on Friday, June 29.

Following is the daily schedule of events. All are at Louisiana High School grounds unless otherwise noted:

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 – Opening Day

10 a.m.: Parade from Main and Georgia to Louisiana High School.

11 a.m.: Opening ceremony at football stadium.

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: First round of Battle of the Bands.

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Second round of Battle of the Bands.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Old-Time Music String Band contest.

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Unveiling of John Brooks Henderson bust and recognition of Shaw and Caldwell families.

4 to 5 p.m.: Third round of Battle of the Bands.

8 p.m.: Hurricane Creek performance at Club Mississippi.

Vendors will be open through 5 p.m. Throughout the day, there will be a Photos Through Time exhibit, Civil War re-enactment encampment, Francis Scott Key portrayal and other exhibits. An antique class car rally and cruise is planned and hot air balloon rides will take place at dusk.

 

 

SUNDAY, JULY 1 – Family Fun Day

Hot air balloon rides beginning at dawn.

11 a.m.: Ecumenical church service.

1 to 2 p.m.:  Fourth round of Battle of the Bands.

1 p.m.: Family picnic and play day.

2 to 2:30 p.m.: Beard contest.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Fifth round of Battle of the Bands.

3:30 to 4 p.m.: Little Ms. and Mr. Bicentennial.

4 to 5 p.m.: Sixth round of Battle of the Bands.

5 p.m.: Senior King and Queen (oldest living male and female residents).

5:30 p.m.: Gospel sing.

Vendors will be open through 5 p.m. Throughout the day, there will be a Photos Through Time exhibit, Civil War re-enactment encampment, chainsaw sculpture demonstration and other exhibits.

MONDAY, JULY 2 – Business and Organizations Day

There will be town-wide business open houses, old-fashioned sidewalk sales, a historian luncheon and other activities. A full schedule is still to come.

TUESDAY, JULY 3 – Kids’ Day

3 p.m.: Decorated bicycle parade on South Carolina from Seventh to City Hall.

There will also be a cardboard city display, a day camp with crafts, water and carnival games, and sidewalk chalk art. A full schedule is still to come.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 – Celebrating Our Heritage

3 p.m.: Motorcycle parade featuring veterans, current military, first responders and others on Georgia from Louisiana High School to riverfront.

There will also be a military guard flag ceremony, American Legion color guard, a  Two Rivers Boat Club “fly-by,” Daughters of the American Revolution flag disposal ceremony, the Battle of the Bands finale, storytelling, John Logan cider press demonstration, a lighted boat parade and fireworks, all at the riverfront. Vendors will be available starting at 2 p.m.