Semiquincentennial Flag gives all Posey chance to celebrate

By Lois Mittino Gray

The USA Semiquincentennial flag has arrived in Mount Vernon amid a flurry of activities planned locally for our Nation’s 250th birthday. A full schedule of events is planned under the watchful eye of Becky Higgins, County Coordinator for the birthday bash. “I received a call about two and a half years ago asking if I would coordinate the celebration. I believe I was asked because I chaired the Indiana Bicentennial Celebration and they got my name,” she said. Higgins also serves as President of the Posey County Historical Society.

Higgins purchased the Semiquincentennial flag with a $100 grant she received last summer from the “Pay It Forward” Awards given out at the River Days Festival. She used it to purchase the 5 by 8-foot American-made banner and stickers touting the nation’s birthday. It will be flown permanently from the flagpole located in the greenspace park at Fourth and Main Street owned by the city. It will be put up on July 4 at 10 a.m. right under the 6 by 12-foot American flag and both will be lit at night, too.

“Until that time, the flag is now going on tour!” she announced, excited about the idea she came up with from the traveling torch at the Bicentennial. Posey County businesses and groups are invited to reserve a time to get the flag and take a picture with it and their staff. The photos will be put in an above-ground time capsule, planned to be put onsite with the flag. This time capsule will be opened in 2076.

The first photo opportunity for the flag was at the Mount Vernon Nursing & Rehabilitation facility with its second stop at United Fidelity Bank. Since that time, it has been to the Alexandrian Public Library, Hawg N’ Sauce Restaurant, Children’s Learning Center, K B Auto Works, Doctors Lee, and Mischa’s Hair Salon to name a few of the thirty or so businesses to date. The Mayor and his staff took a picture out on the steps of City Hall. The Coliseum and Court House crews participated as well as the Mount Vernon Fire Department with their truck.

Higgins hopes more businesses, groups, and individuals from the cities and towns throughout the county will reserve a time with the flag for their picture. To get a date, go to the Facebook Page set up for the celebration called Posey County-USA 250th or call Higgins at 812-204-7388.

Students and other interested persons are encouraged to write letters to put in the time capsule. Higgins already has received letters from preschoolers to all ages to include in it. A fifth grade class from West Elementary School wrote letters to themselves fifty years from now. Drop off locations for the letters are the three local libraries in the county: Alexandrian Public Library in Mount Vernon, the Working Men’s Institute in New Harmony, and the Carnegie Library in Poseyville. They may also be submitted to the Poseyville town clerk.

The group is also sponsoring a “Let’s Paint the Town Red, White, and Blue” Decorating contest in Mount Vernon from June 1 to July 4. A $250 prize for Best Residence and trophies for business winners will be donated by the Cox Group. Winners will be determined by public voting. Persons may vote online on the 250th website for their favorite patriotically decorated residence and business.

Higgins invites everyone to “stay tuned” for a list of activities all during the Fourth of July Week. She also remarked how nice the Mount Vernon Water Tower looks, freshly painted with its 250th slogan.

For a. grand finale of the celebration, the entire USA will be asked to participate in a reading of the Declaration of Independence together on Wednesday, July 8. It is the anniversary of the first time it was read to the public. It is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. EST and 5:00 p.m. CST, our time. “I’ve asked Mayor Loehr to read itt to us aloud at River Bend Park at that time. Afterwards, we’ll have an Ice Cream Social. That way, we can celebrate our 250 years and General Thomas Posey’s birthday which is the next day,” Becky Higgins said, all ready to party hearty with America.

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