Jackson County will be celebrating its 175th anniversary to honor its past and celebrate the present with features from live music bands, a historic train ride and special guest speakers.
The festivities are on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 4to 8p.m. at the brand-new Whittier Heritage Grounds. The event is designed to recognize Jackson County’s history, to celebrate its present and inspire its future while bringing the community together. Guests who want to attend could choose to take a special historic train ride from Dillsboro to Whittier. The train, provided by the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, will leave Dillsboro at 3:45 p.m. and arrive around 5 p.m. in Whittier and take passengers back to Dillsboro shortly after 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $18.51 for adults and $10 for kids under 17. All ticket sales will help fund the Hometown Heroes for Hope charity. The price is to indicate the year when Jackson County was created in 1851.
Check out a video story from the county resident, Bill Crawford on the history of Sylva.The event will start with a performance by Summer Brooke, a Jackson County native who is known for her work with Mountain Faith Band. She was also nationally recognized on “America’s Got Talent.” The night will close with a special commemoration to reflect on the past, present and future of Jackson County along with a fireworks show.
At 6p.m., the festivities will pause to recognize and commend some of the county’s oldest residents and sites of the community. These citizens and places will include the oldest resident, the oldest business, the oldest veteran, the oldest church, and the oldest civic club.
Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Michell Hicks will also talk at the event.
A time capsule will also be open at the event for residents to store items such as relics or mementos for future generations to open. The students of Jackson County have also prepared items to place in the capsule, which will be opened in the year 2051. More information can be found on the Jackson County Facebook page.
The Executive Director of the Jackson County Chamber & Visitor Center, Todd Vinyard, believes that Jackson County is a special place to call home with a prideful and connected community that genuinely shows up for one another. Vinyard encourages all Jackson County residents to come celebrate the wonderful place they call home
“I’d encourage you to come be part of it. This celebration is a chance to enjoy great local music, good food, and meaningful moments of recognition but more than that, it’s an opportunity to connect with your neighbors and feel proud of the place we all call home,” Vinyard said.
