Sesquicentennial Update presented to OC Arts and Historical Commission

This year marks Oconee County’s 150th birthday. The county has a number of things planned to mark the Sesquicentennial. An update on those plans was presented to the Oconee County Arts and Historical Commission during their meeting Thursday night at South Cove County Park, explains Oconee County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Phil Shirley. “We were able to give a Sesquicentennial Update to our Arts and Historical Commission. I basically updated them on the list of items that we will be focusing on as we move through 2018. The Arts and Historical Commission was part of the original groups that began planning some of this and so we were able to share with them information about the Gala, the metal structure that we’re going to try to put together, some of the commemorative coins that we have in place, the pole banners, the partnerships with the cities, etc. So, we were able to provide them with a number of updates and get some feedback from them and we will be looking for some additional opportunities within in that commission such as arts and history and writing contests, essay contests to get the kids as well as we move throughout the spring here.” Officially, the Sesquicentennial celebration starts Jan. 29, with a proclamation by the Oconee County Council. The finale is planned for Oct. 12, at a ticketed gala at Chattooga Belle Farms, which will serve as a fundraiser for the Oconee Heritage Center.