Lynchburg traditions take center stage at Lynchburg 200th Birthday Party on Saturday

LOCAL NEWS — It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event and ramping up to be one heck of a good time. Circle your calendars and save the date for Lynchburg’s 200th Birthday Celebration this Saturday, October 23 beginning at 5 p.m. on the historic Lynchburg Square. It’s gonna be a day flooded with memories and nostalgia.

Like any birthday party there will be birthday cake and balloons at 5 p.m. at the Gazebo with a special, yet-to-be revealed guest of honor to cut the cake. For our history buffs, there will be a display of historic photos projected onto the Courthouse wall commemorating the many historic families and events that make Lynchburg special.

Frontier Days has been a Lynchburg tradition for decades and some of our warmest memories revolve around its annual pony rides and petting zoo. In a nod to those nostalgic times, the Lynchburg Bicentennial will bring them both back for a special appearance on Saturday.

Also remember the days of the LES Fall Festival? Event organizers have re-created it with a cake walk, face painting, musical chairs, football throw, pick up ducks, ring toss, balloon pop, a bouncy house, pin the pumpkin, and the Gone Fishing game just like we used to look forward to every October at the LES Gym.

The Moore County Fire Department’s roasted corn is a long time Lynchburg tradition. They’ll be onsite on Saturday to help Lynchburg celebrate its 200th birthday. (PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Tucker for Jack Daniel’s)

The Moore County Volunteer Firefighter world-famous roasted corn has been featured in Jack Daniel’s annual Squire’s Calendar and is a local favorite at almost every Lynchburg special event for decades – though recent appearances have been more rare. They’ve agreed to help Lynchburg celebrate and will be back for a special appearance on Saturday. It’s a Southern Food Bucket List opportunity. There will also be chili, hot dogs, cotton candy, kettle corn, pintos and cornbread, as well as apples and caramel.

Yesterday’s Wine will play live music beginning at 6 p.m. and there will be a photo booth on site so everyone can walk away with their own souvenir from the event. Commemorative posters and t-shirts will also be available while supplies last. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only Lynchburg-owned newspaper in Moore County. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}