By By Steve Swogetinsky/Special to The Star
Jan. 25, 2001
QUITMAN One hundred years ago on Feb. 15, then-Mississippi Gov. Andrew Houston Longino signed the official charter designating the Clarke County community of Quitman a town.
On Feb 15, 2001, the city of Quitman is preparing a birthday celebration and homecoming that will keep people talking for the next century.
Or so officials hope.
City officials are hoping to spotlight the positive things about Quitman today while looking back at the city's roots.
Committees are already in place to plan the celebration, which will start in February and run through April.
Events start February 18, with a reception at the Quitman Depot.
One of the highlights will be a display of pictures from Quitman's past. Organizers are asking anyone who has old pictures, and would be willing to loan them out, to bring them to Town Hall. They will be returned.
Plans are for people to enter the Quitman Depot in the conference room where the picture exhibit will begin. A reception will be set up in the meeting room area. A program will be scheduled. Homecoming weekend is scheduled for the weekend of March 31 and April 1.
On March 31, there will be a parade and street fair in the downtown area. Plans include asking the different businesses to decorate their windows and plan an exhibit for the day. Some may have sidewalk sales.
A flea market and crafts show are also planned, along with live entertainment and activities for children, including the popular Nickelodeon games. Other ideas are also on the drawing board.
On Sunday, there will be a covered-dish on the ground lunch which should start around noon. Local churches will be encouraged to sponsor their own homecomings, and then come for lunch.
The final phase of the Quitman Centennial celebration will be an awards program, scheduled during the Relay for Life on April 27.
Steve Swogetinsky is editor and publisher of the Clarke County Tribune.