SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Historic Blakeley State Park will have towering oak trees for many more years to come.

The park—which was awarded a grant of 24   two-year-old, 5-foot oak trees to replace damaged trees from Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 and those harmed by drought—invites the public to join the tree planting and ceremony Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission is free.

A ceremony will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. to honor the Baldwin County Bicentennial and the Year of Alabama History, which both are celebrated for 2009.

Trees will be planted Wednesday morning in Washington Square and the waterfront areas of the park.

“We want to put the trees where they will be significant and will thrive,” park director Jo Ann Flirt said.

Area dignitaries have been invited to plant trees in key locations throughout the park.

The grants are from  the Auburn Extension Service, part of a FEMA restoration project.

Jan. 14 was selected because it was this day in 1814 that Josiah Blakeley chartered the town of Blakeley for the first time, making it the oldest town in Baldwin County, according to event organizers.

“Visitors can enjoy participating in what years later will be remembered as a historic occasion,” Flirt said.

Many of the oak trees around Blakeley have stood the test of time for more than 400 years, but trees, like all living things, have their own expiration date.

“We think they’ll last forever, but they won’t,” Flirt said.

Trees can be damaged during a hurricane but may not be affected until years later, Flirt said.

Blakeley State Park is on Alabama 225 about 4 and a half miles off U.S. Highway 31.