The Magnolia State is celebrating its 200th birthday this year and Attala County, along with sister counties across the region, are planning a host of activities and events to mark the occasion.
G.G. Holmes with the Kosciusko Attala Partnership said that several local nonprofits and organizations are planning creative events to celebrate more than 200 years of Mississippi history.
“We just want to be able to promote a sense of community and bring back some of those that have made a name for themselves,” Holmes said.
Mississippi became the 20th state in the United States on December 10, 1817. Attala County would be organized in 1833 with Kosciusko, formerly known as Red Bud Springs, given its name in 1834 and incorporated by an Act of Legislature in 1836.
To celebrate the bicentennial, the city of Kosciusko and the Kosciusko Attala Partnership will be holding a bicentennial celebration on May 12 at Barrister Hall in downtown Kosciusko. The event, which will last from 4-8 p.m., will feature many prominent former residents along with a performance from 1960s garage band The Cavaliers, who will be reuniting for this event.
Some former residents expected to be in attendance include civil rights activist James Meredith, former NFL players Clarence Harmon and Jeffrey Moore and playwright and screenwriter Topher Payne. Other former residents include Gary Barnette, John Burk, John Floyd, Stanley and Beth Hartness, Kaye Monroe Johnson and Kenneth Townsend.
A bicentennial cake will be provided by Pam Sills with flowers arranged by Lailon Dorsey. Refreshments will be provided by Prairie Farms and barbecue samples will be provided by Hank Jones.
