Benton prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial

BENTON, Mo. -- As the kickoff celebration for Benton's sesquicentennial approaches, organizers are putting the final touches on plans and reaching out to community members to get involved.

"This event will have a variety of historic and community-focused activities that will be interesting and fun," coordinator Christy LeGrand said. "We encourage everyone to come out for this special celebration of Benton's Founders' Day."

The event is set to begin at 10 a.m. April 24 at the Scott County Courthouse lawn. It will include speakers and small activities. Also, awareness will be raised about another project committee members are working on that will stay on the courthouse property for years to come -- a legacy bricks memorial.

Bricks are available for $50 each and can be engraved with up to 45 characters of text the purchaser chooses. They will be placed on the east side of the steps to the south of the courthouse, surrounding the area where a time capsule is set to be buried.

All proceeds will be used for sesquicentennial expenses, especially during June and September events. However, the project will be ongoing, LeGrand said, and any leftover funds will be allocated for the remodeling of the old Benton High School.

April activities include the unveiling of the time capsule buried during Benton's centennial celebration.

Also planned for the April event is the presentation of town history, speakers, and the Kelly High School Band and honor choir will perform.