By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer

The Rotary Club of Chilton County got a sneak peek of festivities planned to celebrate Chilton County’s 150th birthday during a meeting on Feb. 21.

Derric Scott, president of the Chilton County Historical Society, said the main celebration will be Oct. 20 to 26, culminating in an event at Clanton City Park/ Goose Pond Park on Oct. 27.

Many of the aspects of the celebrations are still in the works. Events during the week are expected to include a Sesquicentennial Sprint, museum, parade, car show, art exhibit and quilt show.

Educational presentations on the history of Chilton County are also being planned. Scott said some of these will be Dine and Discover lunch events, while others are expected to be talks at the library.

Scott said the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce formed committees to plan different aspects of the celebration. He said most of the local civic groups, cities and towns are represented among the committee members.

Festivities are drawing inspiration from the Bicentennial Celebration in Montevallo and the Peach Jam.

“We are going to sell banners to hang in town,” Scott said.

The banners can be purchased from the committee by businesses, organizations or individuals that want to help promote the event. “In honor” or “in memory of” options are also available. Scott said the banners will be displayed in the downtowns of municipalities and feature the name of the organization or the person being honored.

Various levels of sponsorship for the celebration are also available.

Chilton County was formed in 1868 from portions of Bibb, Shelby and Autauga counties. A portion of land from Dallas county was added at a later date.  It was originally named Baker County, after the main influential in developing Clanton. The name was changed to Chilton in 1874 after a Supreme Court justice.

Scott said he was seven when the county held its 100th anniversary celebration and remembers there being themed parades every day.

Additional details on the celebration are available at celebratechilton150.org or on the Celebrate Chilton County 150th Facebook page.