Limestone County turns 200 this year, and all Limestone Countians are being invited to help celebrate.

A bicentennial celebration is set for 5–8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Limestone County Event Center. The free event is open to the public.

“The event will feature the sounds, sights and tastes of Limestone County, from area musicians playing native Limestone County music to historic photos and artifacts on display to local students enacting a living wax museum of Limestone County history-makers,” said a press release about the event.

In addition to birthday cake, there will also be Limestone County-shaped cookies and food available for purchase from food trucks in the event center courtyard.

The entertainment schedule is as follows:

• 5:30–6 p.m.: Yvette Running Horse Collin — The director of Sacred Way Sanctuary and the

Native American Horse Trail will share stories and songs of local Native Americans;

• 6–6:30: Happy Birthday, Limestone County — Limestone County Archivist Rebekah

Davis will share inspiring stories from the county’s history, followed by a recognition by Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough. All musicians will then gather and join the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Limestone County prior to cake and cookies being served;

• 6:30–6:45: School choirs — Performances of historic and patriotic songs by Athens City and Limestone County school choirs;

• 6:45–7: Round Island Missionary Baptist Association Men’s Choir — The choir will sing traditional African-American gospel songs; and

• 7–7:30: Craig Family Trio — Billy Craig, Dwight Craig and Kevin Craig will sing and play traditional bluegrass songs.

Throughout the event, historic scenes of Limestone County will be shown on the screens. Students from Limestone County will participate in a living “wax museum” depicting Limestone County history makers and share displays of information and stories about these historic figures. Attendees can view special exhibits on display, including:

• Historic Limestone County Schools — The Limestone County Board of Education will display historic photos from the Limestone County Archives of early schools, coordinated with a county map showing their locations;

• Limestone County History Gallery — Historic photos of Limestone County places and events will be displayed, gallery style, on the event center walls;

• Athens City Schools Artwork — Artistic depictions of Limestone County life, created by Athens City Schools students;

• Native American Artifacts — Local Native American tribe members will display artifacts and talk about their history and genealogy;

• Civil War Artifacts — Local historians Chris Paysinger and Joey Thompson will display Civil War artifacts and historical items from in and around Limestone County;

• Mooresville — Historic photos and artifacts from Limestone County’s oldest incorporated town;

• Time Capsule Contents — In 1993, Athens and Limestone County celebrated their 175th anniversary by placing a time capsule in the Limestone County Courthouse, filled with more than 50 items that range from local club handbooks to letters from then-President Bill Clinton. The county retrieved and opened the capsule during the recent courthouse renovation, and those contents will be on display at the celebration;

• Driving Forces: How Athens Got Here — This exhibit, created by Girl Scout Troop 10338 and first displayed at the Limestone County Archives, shares the stories and the people behind some of Athens and Limestone County’s best-known streets and landmarks;

• The Way We Worked — Photos and information about working life in Limestone County; and

• Alabama Veterans Museum — The museum will remain open late that evening and invites everyone to stop by for a visit.

For more information about the Limestone County Bicentennial Celebration, and to stay up-to-date as additional details are announced, visit “Limestone County, Alabama, Bicentennial” on Facebook or contact Bicentennial Committee Co-Chair Michelle Williamson at 256-233-6400 or Co-Chair Teresa Todd at 256-232-5411.