Madison County is celebrating America’s 250th birthday Thursday.
Last year, then supervisor-elect Nancy Sharman began expressing a desire for a local, county-organized celebration. In February, she passionately advocated for an event that would bring residents together to celebrate the milestone of the country that in some ways was founded locally with James Madison.
“America was made in Virginia and we need to own that as Virginians,” Sharman said.
From that meeting, a committee was formed with Sharman and fellow supervisor Jud Buchanan, director of economic development and tourism Tracey Gardner and others to create an event that would bring the country’s celebration to the county.
Thursday’s event on the Madison Library Lawn is free to attend and will feature a variety of presentations, entertainment, vendors and more. The program will begin at 5 p.m. and continue through 8:30 p.m. with a musical interlude from 5:45-6:45 p.m. The American Legion will make presentations as will the Culpeper Minute Men. Mesha Jones and Harold Woodward will present local history, pastor Jeff Tucker will share church history and commonwealth’s attorney Clarissa Berry will speak. Senator Bryce Reeves, congressman Eugene Vindman and delegate Karen Hamilton will attend with Hamilton presenting a resolution. There will be music from the Walker Family, local DJ Jon James, the Madison Community Singers and the Madison County High School Band Drum Line. Various food trucks will be present including Guilty Cravings ice cream. The library will be open with exhibits inside as well as the Kemper Mansion Museum.
Patriotic decor has appeared throughout the town to welcome those attending. The signs were designed by Lauren Eanes.
“It’s been so fun to see [the event] come to life,” Sharman said. “Let’s celebrate and make memories.”
Parking for the event will be at Beth Car Baptist Church across the street from the library. Overflow parking will be available in the back parking lot at Waverly Yowell Elementary School. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
“This is just the beginning of the local 250th celebration,” Sharman said, noting it started with the American Legion’s Memorial Day ceremony and will continue through the year with the fair later this month, Taste of the Mountains Street Festival in September, Veteran’s Day in November and the Christmas parade in December.
“It’s good to have these kinds of gatherings,” Sharman said. “All are invited. Please come.”
