By Mary Owen
It’s official!
Aumsville is turning 100 in 2011, and plans are in the works for a fantastic Centennial Celebration culminating in a birthday party on Aug. 3, said City Administrator Maryann Hills.
Mayor Harold White said he is looking forward to the year-long celebrations.
“Being the mayor for this historic year feels great!” said White, who, with the new term of office, will have served for 25 years of Aumsville’s century as a city.
“It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to serve in office for that long,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
Aumsville City Clerk Colleen Rogers said White will appoint a Centennial committee that will plan the celebration as well as recruit volunteers and sponsors for other possible fun activities.
The theme for the celebratory year is “Step Back in Time.”
“We want to plan a few fun events throughout the year relating to this theme,” Rogers said.
To help, city staff wants residents to share their ideas, special talents, skills and/or sponsor an event.
In the planning stages are: a Summer Concert in the Park series, an era fashion show, an Aumsville trivia contest, a farmer’s market, a family game night with 1911-era games, a corn recipe contest, a fun run/walk, and much more, Rogers said.
Even the annual Aumsville Corn Festival, scheduled for Aug. 27, will carry the theme along with a parade theme of “Corn-centennial,” she added.
Additionally, the Aumsville Historic Society has plans to fill the city’s community center with a chronological display of the past century, Rogers said.
“Our city council and staff are all very excited to get these plans rolling,” she said. “Our biggest need is for some folks that might want to champion an event, but we can always use volunteers at the events.
Sponsoring an event is another way to help.”
Rogers said city staffers are proud to host historic events that will draw attention to the year that Aumsville became an incorporated city in the state of Oregon.
“We can’t wait to show it off!” she said.
For information about the centennial celebrations or to volunteer, contact Rogers at city hall at 503-749-2030.
