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Home More News Sesquicentennial Grand Finale Celebration to be held Dec. 1

The Sesquicentennial Commission will conclude Johnson City’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration with a free event at King Commons from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1.

In addition to comments from Mayor Jenny Brock and Sesquicentennial Commission members, the afternoon will include the first lighting of the commissioned art piece installed in the center of the History Circle, a congressional proclamation from U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, and the placing of contents in the sesquicentennial time capsule to be opened in 2069. Capsule contents will include municipal records, educational reports and memorabilia, items from local businesses, and objects that reflect the lives of today’s Johnson Citians. Additionally, actors from Indian Trail Intermediate School will portray important historical figures.  

 “While we are closing out our sesquicentennial celebration, a year spent embracing our history, we wanted to continue our theme of education,” said Joy Fulkerson, a member of the Sesquicentennial Commission. “It is important to remind our citizens of our history, and we wanted to do so in a way that will be fun for kids. They will be ones enjoying the Natural Adventure Area Playground and exploring the important dates on Johnson City’s History Circle. They will be the adults here in 50 years when the time capsule is unearthed, as this city looks back at our contributions to the community.”

Children will be invited to make and take home their own personal time capsules at a craft table. Boxes, decorations and a fill-in-the-blank list of favorite things of 2019 will be provided. Every attendee will have an opportunity leave their mark, in the form of a thumbprint on a hand-drawn tree, on a community art project that will also be placed in the time capsule.

The Sesquicentennial Commission has also commissioned local artist Jason Flack to create a limited edition print featuring panels of different elements of downtown Johnson City. These special prints will be given out to attendees for free on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Flack will be selling other artwork on site. Other vendors include the Johnson City Press selling its new book “Johnson City 150 Years” and Tom Roberts selling his history book featuring a robust collection of postcards depicting the people, places and other events that shaped Johnson City. Dr. Ted Olson will also have the Johnson City Sessions anniversary CD, “Tell It To Me: Revisiting the Johnson City Sessions, 1928-1929,” and other regional music available for purchase. Sesquicentennial merchandise will be available for sale at the event as well as online at www.jctn150store.com

Cupcakes will be served and Mason Joe will provide a range of hot drinks.

Additionally, a Downtown Tour of Churches will begin at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 3 p.m. Other churches included in the tour are Central Baptist Church, Munsey United Methodist Church, Downtown Christian Church, First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church. Participants will spend approximately 20 minutes at each location. 

Free parking will be available in the Northeast State Community College parking garage. The entrance to the parking garage is located on Buffalo Street.

For more information about the yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, visit www.jctn150.com or follow @jctn150 (Johnson City 150 - Sesquicentennial Celebration) on Facebook.

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