ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — While the nation celebrates the 245th anniversary of its independence on July 4, the city of Robertsdale would like to invite local residents for the kickoff celebration of the city’s 100th anniversary with events scheduled throughout the day at the PZK Hall and Garrett Park.
“We want everyone to come out and enjoy the day,” said Centennial Committee Chair Stephanie Kroll. “We want this to be a big event as we celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary.”
Kroll is joined on the Centennial Committee by co-chair Stephen Grant; Secretary Tracey Turner; Treasurer Jonathan Kitchens; and additional members Delores Sturma, Mary Booth, Emma Bundy, Ruth Campbell, Karen Bill and Paula Irwin.
“We have a full day of activities planned for the whole family on July 4,” Kroll said.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a car and tractor show at the PZK Hall, located on Alabama 104 (Silverhill Avenue).
Inside the PZK hall will house the “100 years of Robertsdale” museum with a special presentation that has been prepared by Grant, Kroll said.
There will also be an art contest which is open to young people in two age categories.
Ages 5 to 8 will complete a coloring page depicting them and their family enjoying the new pavilion at Honeybee Park. Ages 9 to 12 will complete a drawing of them and their family spending time at a favorite place in Robertsdale.
There’s still time to enter the contest with the deadline for submission of completed artwork July 1. Artwork can be turned in at the Robertsdale City Hall or at the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Kroll said.
The coloring page for the 5 to 8 age group contest can be copied from the Robertsdale Centennial Celebration’s page on Facebook or can be picked up at the Chamber.
Entries will be judged by city of Robertsdale officials and winning artwork will be displayed at the PZK Hall, while grand prizes with trophies for the winners will be announced on the day of the kickoff.
There will also be chances to win a cooler donated by Campbell Hardware & Sporting Goods in Robertsdale, Kroll said.
Free Sweet Home coffee and Ms. K famous snow cones will also be available for the first 300 participants, and 300 Centennial T-shirts will be available on the day of the kickoff, Kroll said.
“Our plan is to have a limited number of T-shirts available at every event,” Kroll said, “so we encourage everyone to get their commemorative T-shirt as soon as possible before they run out.”
There will also be a food truck set up at the PZK with Stevie’s Kitchen selling hotdog meals, chicken salad sandwiches and gumbo, Kroll said.
Events at the PZK end at 4 p.m. and will shift to Garrett Park.
The food truck will be available after 4 p.m. at the park. The Robertsdale Honeybee Queens will also be selling food at the park’s concession stand beginning at 4 p.m., Kroll said.
At 5:30 p.m., Tiffany Plato will open the official ceremony with the singing of the National Anthem.
Mayor Charles Murphy will introduce all of the award winners for daily events, including prizes for the car and tractor show, art contest and exhibits.
He will also introduce the Centennial Queens which were crowned during a special ceremony held June 18 at the PZK Hall.
From 6 to 8 p.m., there will be entertainment provided by Brittany Grimes and Wylie Pete with the city’s annual fireworks show kickoff off at dark, around 9 p.m.
“We want this to be a special event to commemorate a special year for our city,” Kroll said.
While the city celebrated its actual anniversary in January, events to commemorate the occasion were postponed because of the pandemic.
There will also be additional events to commemorate the Centennial surrounding the city’s Honeybee Festival which is scheduled for Nov. 6.
There will be a chili contest and a booth set up with a limited supply of T-shirts and other Centennial memorabilia.
Events will culminate in 2022 with a Centennial Parade scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 19, followed by the Centennial Ball following the theme “Roaring 20s” which is set for Feb. 26. Although a location has not yet been finalized, Kroll said, the hope is to have the Ball at the Baldwin County Coliseum on Fairground Road.
It is also hoped to have an exhibit with Centennial-themed artwork from local students at Robertsdale High School and surrounding schools following the start of the school year in August, but the event will have to be approved by school officials, Kroll said.
