This weekend, Sept 30-Oct 2, Union County will celebrate two milestones, all in one weekend.
It will be the end of Homecoming Week for Union County High School. After fun and games during the first part of the week-long event, students will gather at the football stadium on Thursday, Sept. 30 for Tiger Growl at 7 p.m. The theme for the event, and all of the skits, will be the other event that is happening the same weekend – the 100th Anniversary of Union County. In addition to the anniversary theme, all of the past Homecoming Queens and Kings have been asked to attend the event in a special, Homecoming Blast from the Past.
Friday, Oct. 1 will see the annual Homecoming Parade, beginning at 12 noon. Floats and other participants will set up in the usual staging area at Sprinkle Field and the parade will follow the usual route. In keeping with the anniversary celebration, all of the floats will be in line with the historic theme. Friday’s events will conclude beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the stadium with the Homecoming Football game, with the Union County Tigers taking on the Akelynn’s Angels Christian Academy in gridiron action.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, Oct. 2, a full day of the celebration will begin with the opening of the time capsule at the courthouse. The capsule was put in place in the 1970’s and was last opened in 2000 to add more items. Although the contents have been inventoried and member of the Union County Historical Society know what is inside, the contents are not being made public so as not to spoil the surprise. Past and present constitutional officer have been invited to the opening and it is hoped that many will be able to attend. Some old items will be removed and put on display (see below) while other, new items will be placed inside the capsule and it will be resealed.
Down at Lakeside Park there will be vendors and food trucks in a day-long celebration of the county’s birthday. Lakeside activities will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until dusk. A stage will be set up and musical acts and speakers will perform. The Lake Butler Woman’s Club will provide a trolley-ride tour of historic sites throughout the day. The city of Lake Butler has graciously allowed the use of the Lakeside Community Center for displays set up by all the municipalities in the county, as well as a place that the removed time capsule items can be displayed. The Lakeside Park events will culminate in a fireworks show at dusk.
The Union County Historical Society will be conducting pre-sale of their new History of Union County book that is in the final stages of production. The society decided that, rather than rush the preparation, they would include coverage of the celebration in the book and mail it to purchasers after. Books may be purchased at the Union County Historical Museum while attending their virtual walk through history, a multimedia presentation that will offer both education and entertainment.
The entire weekend promises to be an event to be remembered and a lot of fun for everyone in attendance. Everyone, whether a resident or a visitor to the county is encouraged to come and help celebrate the county’s 100th birthday.
