City of Henderson Bicentennial
The City of Henderson will celebrate its bicentennial with events scheduled for September 11-18, 2010. The schedule includes a horse show, a “Henderson Bicentennial Celebration” picnic with live music, children's events and more.
The celebration will begin with the Henderson City Horse Show on Saturday, September, 11 at the Henderson County Fairgrounds. The show will begin at 8am and will include competition in:
- Western Pleasure
- Western Horsemanship
- Hunt Seat Pleasure
- Hunt Seat Equitation
- Saddleseat Pleasure
- Saddleseat Equitation
- Novice English Pleasure
- Novice Western Pleasure
Each of the above competitions (except for the novice competitions) will have the following divisions:
- 12 & Under (Walk & Trot Only)
- 13-18 (Walk, Trot & Canter Only)
- 19 & Over (Walk, Trot & Canter Only)
There will be an award for 1st place, with ribbons for 1st-5th places. High point awards will be given in each age group. There will be a $5 per class, $5 office fee per horse, and a rider cannot cross enter W/T with canter class. Demonstrations during lunch break will include Eventing, Dressage, Stadium Jumping and Reining. For a full schedule of events and complete rules for the Henderson City Horse Show, please download the show bill right here: Henderson City Horse Show Bill
On Sunday, September 12, the city will host a “Henderson Bicentennial Celebration” picnic from 12-4 p.m. in Central Park. Interested attendees are encouraged to dress in 1810-era clothing and to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy during the festivities. The mayor will issue a proclamation, birthday cake will be served, live music will be provided by the Henderson County High School Band, the Chapel Hill Praise Band, and Jeanmarie and Brad Parrott and a beard contest will be judged by local “experts.“
Awards will be given in the beard contest in the following categories:
- Full Beard
- Abe Lincoln or “Chin Curtain”
- Goatee with Mustache
- Mutton Chops
- Colonel Sanders (Chins Strip with Mustache)
- Apolo Anton Ohno (Chin Strip, No Mustache)
- Mustache
- Grayest
- Longest
- Reddest
- Blackest
- Blondest
- Brownest
- Most Creative
- Most Pitiful
One category entry per person.
There will be concessions by Thomason's BBQ and Countryview Baptist Church; everyone is welcome to bring a picinic lunch.
The celebration will continue with children's events on Saturday, September 18 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Central Park. Activities will include demonstrations and more from students at Niagara, Spottsville, Bend Gate and South Heights Schools. The events are planned in partnership with Henderson County Schools and the City of Henderson Parks & Recreation Department. Live music will include the Bicentennial Bluegrass All-Star Band, Dave Redmon and other acoustic musicians. The celebration will include casual play of corn hole and washers in Central Park. Concessions will be available during the event.
The City of Henderson Bicentennial will also be celebrated by the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society with the publication of documents, the 1810 Tax Book, now available at the society's office at 101 N. Water Street, and the 1810 Fact Book, which will be available the week of the celebration.
Pioneer themed walking tours of Henderson will be sponsored by the Depot Community Room and will be leaving from Central Park on Saturday, September 18.
A commemorative plate will be available for sale at all bicentennial events.
For more information, please contact the Downtown Henderson Project at 131 N. Main Street, phone 270-827-0016 or email julie@downtownhenderson.org.
