Sikeston officials planning yearlong celebration for city's 150th anniversary

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston's 150th anniversary celebration may not begin for another seven months, but organizers are already working to finalize the yearlong event.

"The idea is that the more we plan ahead, the better off we'll be," city manager Doug Friend said. "Our goal is to have something going on every week of that year, and we just want to share some ideas and see how we can make this thing work."

Organizers will have a meeting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Clinton Building to place events on the calendar for the 2010 celebration.

"This meeting is very important for area agencies and organizations that put on special events for our community," said Missy Marshall, executive director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, which is assisting in the planning. "We want to make sure that there are not double bookings for events, and we want to keep the schedule flowing so everyone has a chance to celebrate."

Those involved in the sesquicentennial planning said they want any events, including those that take place every year, to be included in the calendar. "We want everything," said Rhonda Council, administrative assistant at Sikeston City Hall.

Friend said the goal "is that every community event -- whether it's one that's been around for a long time or something new -- be on the calendar for that year."

The three pointed out that several events have been done in the past, but they are asking for a 150th twist to be added. "For events such as the Cotton Carnival, we want them to add the 150th theme to it if possible," Council said.

Friend said the kickoff to the celebration will be on New Year's Eve, with the Missouri Delta Medical Center ball.

"It is traditionally a fall event. We have requested them to move it to New Year's Eve," Friend said.

Although those involved have been working to raise awareness about the sesquicentennial for almost a year now, it is expected to become more prominent in the community beginning in July when banners advertising the celebration will be hung throughout the city.

Other planned public relations moves include placing the logos on city vehicles, working with the school system to have the theme incorporated in its events and sports uniforms, and encouraging local businesses to consider adding the logos. Friend said there has also been talk of having some communitywide high school reunion weekends.

Organizers said people who want to get involved but don't have their own ideas should come to help brainstorm, or take control of an idea no one is working on yet, such as a beard-growing contest and other events to reflect life 150 years ago.

"We are looking for agencies and organizations to sponsor those events," Marshall said.

Friend said people spearheading the sesquicentennial will help groups interested in sponsoring events find venues and do other planning, if needed.

There will be a special section of the chamber of commerce website for all the sesquicentennial activities, Marshall said. Now, they are listed on the calendar of events at the site, www.sikeston.net. The city plans to come up with a special section or collaborate with that site.

People who cannot attend Tuesday's meeting but want to get involved should call city hall at 573-471-2512 or the chamber offices at 573-471-2498.