By Wesley Wright, Lakeland commissioner
Shelby County is celebrating its Bicentennial next month and Lakeland will be part of the festivities.
The event is from 1 – 5:30 p.m. Nov. 24th at Shelby Farms Park. All municipalities will have a 30X40-foot tent to showcase the best of their towns, including Lakeland.
Planning has been in the works since early 2019. We have commitments from the Lakeland Education Foundation, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, The Lake District and others. But we want a good 10 strong if possible.
We want a diverse mix of representation and I am hoping to get involvement from citizens who would help portray our genesis as a fun park all the way to a burgeoning upscale town with exceptional schools and neighborhoods. Some towns are doing crafts and it would be apropos to have small sailboats for kids to paint or color as an activity. If you have ideas or would like to contribute please contact me via: wwright@lakelandtn.org
There will be a noon press conference Oct. 25th to help boost the visibility of the event. Later this month some municipalities will be advertising with banners and signs of various shapes and sizes. The organizers are trying to encourage more merchandise vendors but welcome more food trucks. If you would like to sell merchandise or food contact Selliott@memphisinmay.org
This is a free event with live entertainment, food trucks, a petting zoo, a sports zone and maybe the last fireworks display at Shelby Farms ever! A crowd of 3,000 – 5,000 guests are expected with plenty of room.
Savannah Brister from Lakeland is slated to perform as well as Kevin and Bethany Paige and others. SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) is to provide security/traffic control. There will be small passport booklets for kids to get stamped as they visit each tent and in the end a tent with cupcakes for those who get everything stamped.
This is an opportunity for Lakeland to shine, show the rest of Shelby County what we have to offer and to enjoy the variety of each town as they showcase their best. Collierville looks to be planning a bluegrass band within their tent, Germantown will highlight their equestrian heritage and Millington will have several military presentations.
Shelby County Bicentennial
1-5:30 p.m.
Nov. 24th
Shelby Farms Park
