PERRY COUNTY TENNESSEE TO CELEBRATE 200TH BIRTHDAY
Perry County will mark its 200th birthday Sept. 20-21, 2019 in the quaint town of Linden, the county seat. The Bicentennial Committee, made up of local historians and county and city leaders, has set in motion two days of festivities to celebrate the historic birthday in grand, authentic style.
2019 is an important year for Perry County as we celebrate our Bicentennial,” County Mayor John Carroll said. “We will commemorate many of the great milestones the county has experienced in our 200 years and will also look to the future. We hope all of our friends and neighbors will join us for this special event Sept. 20-21 in Linden.”
The event kicks-off at noon on Friday and includes a street festival with more than 100 vendors, an old-fashioned fiddlers contest, a county fair, tours of the county’s historical landmarks, special musical guests throughout the two-day event, and much more.
“It is great that we can honor our county history,” said Linden Mayor Wess Ward, who is pleased to host the event in his town, “and at the same time celebrate some of our local culture and beauty.”
Perry County’s Bicentennial Committee has created special commemorative items to mark the Bicentennial, including lapel pins, t-shirts, keychains and coins, all featuring the special logo designed to mark the 200th.
Perry County was named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, naval officer and hero of the War of 1812. The county was created by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly on Nov. 14, 1819.
Among the many fascinating stories capturing Perry County’s history, is the tale of Tennessee’s native son and legend Davy Crockett who came through the area, took a ½ gallon of whiskey, and left an IOU for $3.50. A copy of the IOU is in the city archives. Legend also has it that Elvis Presley, on his way from Memphis to Nashville, stopped in Linden to have his car fixed and got a shave and a haircut with the local barber.
For more information regarding Perry County’s 200th birthday celebration go to: https://www.theperrychamber.com/200thbirthdaycelebration
