In June we came to the end of an exciting and eventful celebration commemorating "150 Years of Heritage & Harmony". For the Sesquicentennial Steering Committee, we are concluding three busy years of planning, which has brought us a new energy and respect for our cities. To say the celebration exceeded our expectations would be an understatement. We began this journey in 2004 with hopes of bringing to the surface the best attributes of the Twin-Cities, bringing a sense of comm"unity" to the celebration and re-enforcing a heritage that generations of Bristolians have known and cherished throughout the years. It was important to us to have continuity in celebrating Bristol's Sesquicentennial during it's 10-plus months and, as important, to instill some far reaching and identifiable results extending beyond the year. Due to the support of financial sponsors and countless workers & participants we've concluded Bristol's 150th having known that the community was behind our efforts and hardily joined in the celebration.

Every generation makes its mark in a community and a nation, and there were coordinated plans to help identify our connection to these past forbears. There is a reason that we are nestled so comfortably on the border of Tennessee and Virginia. Our founders, in particular Joseph Anderson, planned a model city with a main street running down the state line. Anderson's & Goodson's vision for this city can be identified even 150 years later! We presented dramatic portrayals, numerous historical exhibits, a historical tour, written histories and partnered with veterans, civic & historical organizations to highlight the rich heritage that we have received. Bud Phillips, honored in 2006 as Bristol's Grand Historian and parade grand marshal, has been an active participant throughout these years of planning. The Bristol Centennial of 1956 continues to be a celebration that brings many fond memories for Bristolians. One tie-in to this previous celebration was the publicized visit of Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress Peter & Pearl Abraham of Bristol England. It has been a tradition in the Twin-Cities to receive a letter from the Lord Mayor of our Great Britain namesake. For our grand celebration we were honored to have a week-long official visit during our Star-Spangled Bristol festivities. They participated in all of our city-wide events July 4th weekend. This was one of the highlights of my year! The history of Bristol's music tradition was also on the forefront in 2006 with our association with our now veteran organizations, Rhythm & Roots Reunion and Birthplace of Country Music Alliance. We commend their efforts!

In 2006 the Sesquicentennial Education Committee spent countless hours developing an education curriculum for the youth of the city, grades K - 8. This resource unit, which contains a short history of Bristol, a curriculum guide, suggested strategies and activity enrichment opportunities, has been placed in all area schools, private and parochial, in area colleges, universities and libraries. Another endeavor was the final project of the committee, the Sesquicentennial Time Capsule & Monument now located at the Bristol Public Library. The capsule now contains 531 items, or groups of items, pertaining to Bristol's anniversary year and of Bristol history. It is encapsulated in a brick & block monument that will long serve as a permanent marker to identify the location of the 100-year time capsule destined for Bristol's 250th birthday in 2106. It is also our hope that Bristol's two landmark sesquicentennial trees, placed in Anderson & Cumberland Square Parks, will show this generation's commitment to Bristol's future for hundred's of years to come. There were numerous other long lasting projects, including the official quilt provided by the Holston Quilters Guild and the City Flag, adopted by both cities following our citywide flag contest. In upcoming months a iron marker commemorating Bristol's first home and business will be finalized in downtown Bristol by the Bristol Historical Association, funded by Bristol's Sesquicentennial.

We'll always remember the U.S. Congress resolution on Bristol's Sesquicentennial, presented in Congress days before Star-Spangled Bristol by Tennessee State Senator and Speaker Bill Frist. Virginia Senator George Allen, after riding horseback in the Kiwanis Sesquicentennial Parade, brought excitement to the celebration by presenting the official resolution to the citizens of our cities. Another unforgettable memory will be the over ten thousand people in and around the Earhart Farm at Bristol Motor Speedway as we closed our day-long concerts with an incredible fireworks spectacular. For the sake of special events chairperson Vicie Dotson, we can't forget the enthusiastic packed house for the Lee Greenwood concert at the Paramount Center. The concert was unforgettable, especially watching the Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress of Bristol England waving their hands to "God Bless The USA". Priceless!

Throughout the celebration there were 81 events and projects sponsored or partnered by the Steering Committee, plus dozens of other events and projects put forth from other Bristol organizations. Our initial primary goal was to make every event free to the public, if at all possible. This was to allow every citizen, regardless of financial restraints, the opportunity to participate in an once-in-a-lifetime celebration. With only two exceptions, The Sesquicentennial Ball & the Lee Greenwood concert, every other event & project was funded by 37 financial sponsors and 8 media sponsors. Without these community-minded businesses the year would not have been the success that it was. Over $190,000.00 was raised in very short order and funded the majority of the sesquicentennial year. Please thank these sponsors for their support.

Finally, on a personal note, I want to thank the 19 members of the Steering Committee and members of the 13 sub-committees that made this year happen. Some worked in specific projects and events and some members plowed the ground in all the planning & implementation, but it was a team effort. Words cannot express my thanks for their work and dedication to a longer than normal commitment. The same can be said for the councils and departments of both city governments. They supported our work after appointing the original committee in 2004. They set the standard of comm"unity" that we endeavored to attain! We also want to give special thanks to the Bristol Chamber of Commerce who provided support through supplying their communications director, Beth Stockner, to the celebration planning. She has been an invaluable resource throughout these three years!

As we have come to the end of this proverbial road we will be placing the sesquicentennial records in the new Bristol Public Library archives by the end of the year. This will be the first large addition to this valuable resource room. In addition, two large archival scrapbooks will be presented to the library when completed to systematically record the events and projects of this anniversary. Other materials and copies of files will be provided to both state historical societies, the Virginia Historical Society & the Tennessee State Archive. Both organizations are hoping that this addition will provide a better record of the Twin-Cities for their collections. The Bristol Historical Association will also be provided copies and will become a valuable backup resource for future celebrations. In 50 or 100 years there will be some interest in knowing who we were and how we celebrated many years earlier. The Bristol Time Capsule will also contain many surprises about the ancient days back in 2006.

The end of one road is many times the beginning of another road. I will close my thoughts with a quote from Carl Sandburg, who had the heart of an optimist and a historian. His same thoughts can be said for Bristol, who in all accounts is one of America's great communities.

Optimists know the past and challenge the future! We all look forward to many great and fruitful days ahead for the cities of Bristol.

Star-Spangled Bristol Brings Festive Birthday Bash To The City

Unlike any birthday party in Bristol's history, Bristol experienced one of the cities most entertaining & festive celebrations on record. The weekend began on Friday evening with a city-wide movie & entertainment at King College, which was attended by hundreds by the beginning of the movie. The Kiwanis Sesquicentennial Parade kicked-off Saturday with one of Bristol's largest parades and attendance in memory. There were 127 entries with numerous colorful floats and many, many antique cars, new & vintage fire trucks, and a number of professional commercial floats. Onlookers enjoyed a number dignitaries that were participating, including Louise Bowdoin, Bristol's Centennial Queen, Mr. Frank Loudy & Anna Horne, Mr. & Mrs. Senior Sesquicentennial King & Queen, Pansy Waycaster, Bristol's Queen 55 to 69 and Grand Marshall, Mr. Bud Phillips. One of the highlights of the Sesquicentennial celebration is the arrival of Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress of Bristol England, who attended the majority of the cities events, including the Kiwanis parade. Their presence have given "an international feel", according to some of the citizen's that attended the initial day of activities. U.S. Senator George Allen, possible Presidential candidate, also added a flair to the celebration when he rode horseback in the parade, followed by him announcing the U.S. Senate Resolution commemorating Bristol's 150th birthday. To many, this was Bristol's largest and best attended parade in over 20 to 30 years.

Following the parade nearly 4,000 Bristolians settled in Cumberland Square Park for a day of concerts, free food and a 7,000 piece birthday cake, prepared by Southeast Culinary School. The anticipation was evident when hundreds of people crowded around Chief Richards tent in preparation for the grand unveiling. The cake was an 8' x 8' recreation of State Street, including buildings, the trainstation and the Bristol Sign. A cake to remember! Events of the day included the resolution from the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senator George Allen, A Virginia resolution by Delegate Joe Johnson, Delegate Terry Kilgore & State Senator William Wampler. The Holston Quilt Guild presented the Sesquicentennial Quilt to the City, which is entitled "Post Cards From Bristol". It will be displayed at the Bristol Public Library. Again, the crowd indicated their enthusiasm with the attendance of the Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress, Councillor Peter & Pearl Abraham of Bristol England. They have excited the crowds throughout Bristol. Many other events & exhibits were intermingled throughout the day, which gave every age group and interest something to do. Hendrika Schuster portrayed Mrs. Joseph Anderson to a full house at First Baptist Church. According to Bud Phillips, Henny captured Mrs. Anderson and captivated the crowd. Numerous descendants of the Anderson family traveled from long distances to be a part of the celebration. Historical exhibits & a quilt show at the YWCA had exceptional attendance. Over 800 attended the YWCA event. The Bristol Exhibit, Former Times on the Border, will continue to be open at the Old Custom House through July 28th.

Sunday was no letdown either. The crowds turned out early for the Ice Cream Social put on by the Bristol Historical Association & State Street Sweets & Eats. An estimated 1,500 attended and ate 1,200 cones of ice cream and listened to Bristol's Own Dixieland Band, Tommy Curtin and his juggling acts, and Sarah Scott & Gorden Farris. At 11:00am & 1:00pm on Monday morning, Bristol dedicated two Sesquicentennial Trees. These Northern Red Oak Trees were placed in the Cumberland Square & Anderson Parks and were made the official trees of this year. If nurtured properly in upcoming years we would expect these hardwood trees to live an average of 200 years.

Bristol turned out in mass, far beyond expectations, for Monday evenings events. Lee Greenwood, who stated that he begin his singing career in Bristol, sang to an excited and sold-out Paramount Theater. Over 790 attendees listened to nearly 2 hours of the most anticipated music during Bristol's Sesquicentennial. A favorite, written by Bristol's own Dave Loggins, Please Come To Boston, thrilled the crowd and the finale "God Bless The USA" was not disappointing to the cheering attenders. Across Bristol, next to Bristol Motor Speedway, 8,000 to 10,000 crowded the Earhart farm for an day of concerts featuring April Taylor, Shawn Camp, Doyle Lawson & Yonder Mountain String Band. Prior to the fireworks local police officials estimated that over 20,000 crowded around the beltway, the Volunteer Parkway and behind the Bristol Motor Speedway to see the explosion of fireworks to end the evening. With WQUT radio amplified throughout the campground the crowd celebrated in high fashion Bristol's 150th and America's 230 birthday. Bud Phillips ended the weekend with a downtown tour on Tuesday morning, which was attended by 160 people. Bud put on a show! His book "Bristol, A Good Place To Live" was sold-out within two hours of the event at Cumberland Square Park. He'll have more available end of the week.

Bristol celebrated it's anniversary in one of the most eventful weekends since the Centennial in 1956. The committee could not have expected a better attendance or response from Bristolians. According to Tim Buchanan, chairman of the committee, "this could be the beginning of many new events for Bristol". "Bristol's ready for an annual Fourth of July in upcoming years". Keep your eyes on the website for upcoming events for the remainder of 2006. God Bless Bristol and the USA!

Welcome to Bristol 150

Final thoughts on the year. . . . .