It was a sunny, fall afternoon with temps in the mid-50s as Lakeland residents joined their Shelby County neighbors this afternoon to “Celebrate Shelby,” the free Bicentennial Celebration of Shelby County at Shelby Farms Park.
Among the seven County municipalities, Lakeland showcased its past as well as future with organizations representing various components of the City. At 42-years-old, it is the youngest City in Shelby County.
Each municipality had a 30×40 tent for displays and Lakeland’s tent featured a sky ride from the Lakeland Amusement Park years before Lakeland became a City.
The Amusement Park opened and Garner Lake was created in 1961 with a mile-long sky ride across the lake, a paddle-wheeler boat, the Huff N Puff Railroad (hence the street in Lakeland: Huff N Puff Road), and amusement rides, along with the Lakeland Speed Bowl, north of the Lake, and Lakeland International Raceway, south of I-40. Because of financial issues, the Park was closed in 1977, the same year Lakeland incorporated as a City.
Also featured in the Lakeland tent was Delta Blues Winery; Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce; Lakeland Commons, a 42-acre mixed use development to open by December 2020; Lakeland Education Foundation; St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway 2020 which will be in Kensington Manor, Lakeland; The Lake District, a 161-acre mixed use urban village to open for the holidays in 2020; and the City of Lakeland.
The Lakeland display space was organized by Lakeland Commissioner Wesley Wright. He said Shelby County reached out to the municipalities earlier this year. “I jumped at the opportunity,” he said. “I loved the chance to help represent our City at this County event.” He added, “Our Lakeland tent was representative of our past as well as our forward trajectory as the top K-8 school system in Tennessee, our upscale growth in The Lake District, Lakeland Commons and more,” said Commissioner Wright.
This year, the state named Lakeland Elementary School as number one in the state for grades 3-5 with the honor of number two for grades 6-8 going to Lakeland Middle Preparatory School. The first high school in Lakeland has been approved for funding and is scheduled to open to students in August 2022.
Traffic to the tent was steady during the afternoon with guests wanting to take a seat in the sky ride. Many expressed interest in moving to Lakeland and/or shopping at the soon-to-be constructed retail districts.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/L46woXNBAC61X9vW7
The event honored Memphis, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, Arlington, Millington and Lakeland. The theme for the 200-year “Celebrate Shelby” was “A New Century of Possibilities.”
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said the celebration was a bookend for the year-long bicentennial celebration of the community. “More than a birthday party, it’s a moment to reflect on what the past 200 years have brought in Shelby County and what the next 200 years will bring.”
It was produced by the Memphis In May International Festival and featured live music on the T-Mobile Stage, fireworks, food trucks and family activities.
“What began as a rural farming center with about 300 residents has grown to encompass seven municipalities and serve over 900,000 residents,” said Mayor Harris. “That is worthy of a celebration.”
In addition to the tents, the afternoon offered a petting zoo, live music on stage and food trucks with picnic tables for listening and eating.
At the entrance to the venue, attendees received a small passport booklet to be stamped at each of the seven tents and redeemed for a birthday cupcake. And the conclusion of the evening was celebratory fireworks.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
