Wesson is celebrating its Founder’s Day and Sesquicentennial starting later today and continuing through Saturday.

Music, a parade, open houses, historical exhibits, demonstrations, contests and the opening of a time capsule from the old Wesson School will give town residents and visitors a lot to look forward to during the Friday and Saturday bash. The old school building, which was renovated into a town community center, will be the site of some of the events

As part of a Saturday evening barbecue and birthday cake party, town officials also plan to bury a new time capsule that will later be covered by a permanent marker and brick work.

According to Mayor Alton Shaw, it’s only appropriate that a celebration be held, because Wesson is a town that appreciates its history. “The renovation of the old school is a good example of how residents feel about the past,” he points out.

Not only is the town celebrating a big birthday, but its chamber of commerce is marking 25 years as well.

“To have these milestones coincide, then to have the Smithsonian exhibit at Co-Lin to complement them – it’s really remarkable,” says Marilyn Britt, head of the Wesson chamber.

The Smithsonian Institution exhibit, titled “From Mill Town to College Town,” is being displayed in the Mutton Building on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wesson campus.

The exhibit, on display through May 9, includes a historical look at the evolution of Wesson and has photos and items from the National Archives as well as local artifacts from Copiah and nearby counties as part of the display. Co-Lin is only one of two community colleges approved by the Mississippi Humanities Council for the exhibit.

For more information about Wesson’s Founder’s Day and 150th Anniversary Celebration, call the Wesson Chamber of Commerce at 601-643-5000.

List of Events

FRIDAY:

4:30 p.m. Co-Lin Jazz Band

7 p.m. Gospel Singing

SATURDAY:

8 a.m. Flea Market

9 a.m. Eric Sharp

9:30 a.m. Shelia E. Hewitt

10 a.m. Opening Ceremony

11 a.m. Parade

12 p.m. Games after parade

12:30 p.m. Veterans Recognition

1 p.m. Hot Dog Contest

1:15 p.m. Morgan and Company

1:45 p.m. Pie Contest – Judges Janie’s Pastry

2 p.m. Brooklyn Twiner

2:15 p.m. Beard Growing Contest

2:30 p.m. Varnisha Harris

3 p.m. Elvis

5 p.m. Flea Market Finds

6 p.m. Birthday Party – Old School

(Parking limited. Bring lawn chairs.)

6-7 p.m. Babs Wood

7:15 p.m. Cutting of the Cake, Time Capsule

8 p.m. Music

9 p.m. Fireworks