This week, the Stephens County Historical Society is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Stephens County. The Historical Society has planned for a week of celebration events including historical exhibits, contests and community dramas. All of these events will build up to the celebration ending on August 21st.
The ceremonies will kick off at Georgia Baptist Conference Center on Thursday, August 18th. Stephens County will be presented with a proclamation by Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor followed by performances by the Toccoa Symphony Orchestra and the Stephens Middle School Chorus. This event starts at 7:30 p.m. and is free to the public.
The Historical Society has planned for an early 1900's county fair that will be held on the downtown courthouse square on Friday, August 19th and Saturday, August 20th, after the parade. Starting at 10:00 a.m., ending at 6:00 p.m., some of the events at the fair include:
- The Gragg Brothers from Habersham County will provide 1900's musical demonstrations.
- The Toccoa Women's Club and The Currahee Club have teamed up to provide old-fashioned lemonade and ice cream.
- The Stephens County Farm Bureau will have farm animals on display that were used to supplement life in the area during that time.
- Charles Smith will provide demonstrations on making hominy, a common food item for our early ancestors.
- Bob Slack will provide log home demonstrations, giving a glimpse into home building of the early 1900's.
- The art of divining and dousing will be demonstrated, providing an opportunity to see how water was found underground to build wells.
- Dale Mosley will provide tours of the historic Stephens County Courthouse, which was built in 1907.
- The Currahee Artist Guild is providing a local artists' exhibit in Thacker Hall that will feature 14 local artists.
- Doyle Street will feature antique cars as well as horse and carriages.
- Inside the old Rothell building, across from the renovated train depot, will be several early 1900's demonstrations including crocheting and knitting by Shirley Fulbright, weaving by Roxie Shalfant, decorative planting by Pat Wise, quilting by Currahee Quilters Carolyn Grubbs, Judy Kemp and others, canning by Lorraine Haygood, cannery history by the local chapter of the FFA, furniture making by David Kemp, butter churning by Gwyn Goodlett and dulcimer playing by Teresa Barefoot and some of her students.
- A living history speaker will speak to students and visitors in the Currahee Military/Living History Museum, adjacent to the depot.
- Antique farm implements and tractors will be on display throughout the Courthouse square.
The Stephens County Recreational Department is throwing a Centennial Birthday Party starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19th. The party will include special guests, food and games. Following the party will be a dance in the recreation center from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
All Stephens County veterans will receive special recognition at the Centennial Birthday Party. If you are a veteran, registration begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. As a special guest, you will even receive a commemorative branch of service set of dog tags. Call William Tucker at (706) 886-4836 for more information.
On Saturday, August 20th, downtown will play host to a Centennial Celebration parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. Veterans and active duty personnel are invited for a special ride on a float through the parade. As a veteran or active duty member and are interested in riding or walking in the parade, go to East Doyle Street near the swimming pool at 9:00 a.m. to begin lining up for the parade. Again, for more information, call William Tucker at (706) 886-4836.
After the parade, stay downtown for a gospel sing that will start at 11:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m.
If you're a current or former resident of Stephens County or you're just passing through, be sure to come downtown for all of these festivities. We're sure you'll see why Toccoa is a great place to live and work!
To view a calendar of all of the events, visit the iToccoa Events Calendar by
clicking here.
For more information, please call the Historical Society at (706) 282-5055 or contact the Chamber of Commerce at (706) 886-2132.
