Madison Co.-Jackson ends 200 years with parade, time capsule, The Commodores
Madison County and Jackson citizens were jubilant as the area concluded its 200-year celebration with a festive community parade and time capsule-burial, culminating with a fireworks show and performance by The Commodores on Saturday.
Community members enjoyed day-long celebrations starting at 10 a.m. until dark, reflecting on the Madison County-Jackson Bicentennial milestone.
The area's dual bicentennial celebration of the county and the city began last year, resulting in a strong partnership and strategic planning by city and county leaders, bringing year-long activities for citizens to enjoy.
Madison County native LoLo opened for The Commodores after she appeared in the community parade and was also joined by county mayor-elect A.J. Massey as they waved to the crowd.
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The Jackson-Madison County Schools Band and the My Brown Skin Matters Majorettes performed, to name a few, while the West Tennessee Veterans Coalition also walked in the parade.
Following the parade, a 10-foot-plus time capsule container was buried underground at Bicentennial Park for future Jackson residents to dig up in 50 years on the 250th anniversary of the city.
The time-capsule burial was attended by elected-officials and curious citizens.
When the previous time capsule from 1972 was unearthed, the contents were waterlogged and destroyed. According to officials, the new capsule has quintuple moisture protection barriers, including a stainless steel capsule welded shut and is filled with argon to help preserve the contents.
"We are very confident that the contents will survive the journey to 2072," said Trey Cleek, the chairman of the time capsule committee.
Jackson Mayor Scott Conger said he wrote a letter for the future city mayor, who will open the box in 2072.
"Just thinking about what history was lost, but what history we're going to preserve here that the people in 50 years are going to be able to dig up and see how we all came together in 2022 and what really makes Jackson special ... ," Conger said.
Bringing joy to all, the Classic Motown band The Commodores played the closing concert at the grand finale of Bicentennial events, followed by a fireworks show at The Ballpark at Jackson.
Concertgoers danced, bounced and swayed to the rhythm and blues sound of The Commodores' "Lady," "Easy" and "Nightshift" performed by the iconic band that formed in 1968.
Fireworks burst in the sky following the concert, capping the end of the community's first 200 years.
For information, visit https://jacksonmadison200.com/.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Madison Co.-Jackson celebrate 200 years with parade, time capsule, concert
