TIFTON —
The town of Alapaha will host their annual Alapaha Station Celebration this weekend. Originally conceived in 1981 to commemorate the town’s centennial, today over 5,000 folks come together from near and far to visit with family and friends and have a good time. This year’s theme is “Preserving Our History,” with emphasis on restoring the old Alapaha Station Depot, which housed City Hall for many years.
The depot was built in 1881 as a major destination stop on the Brunswick and Albany Railroad. It is now in great disrepair, and efforts are underway for major reconstruction. The new Alapaha City Hall was dedicated last year on Sunday after the Celebration Worship Service.
The Thomas Family Band, a bluegrass gospel band from Hilliard, Fla., will perform at 7 p.m. tonight at the Alapaha gym (wheelchair accessible). Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children.
The bridge at the Alapaha River on Highway 82 will be dedicated in memory of Sgt. Maj. James E. “Jimmy” Jones of Alapaha at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Jones served with the Green Berets in Vietnam and was declared Missing in Action on Oct. 3, 1966. On Dec. 8, 1977, during President Jimmy Carter’s administration, Jones was declared dead.
Also, among other events the public doesn’t want to miss include one of the longest parades in South Georgia with the award-winning Berrien High Rebel Regiment Band, classic automobiles and antique tractors, cartoon characters, floats and beauty queens.
The reigning Miss Georgia, Leighton Jordan, will serve as Grand Marshal. She will be available for pictures and autographs after the parade near the entertainment stage. Live entertainment will be ongoing throughout the day. Booths featuring arts, crafts, food and agricultural-related products will be on hand.Ronnie McDowell will present a free concert at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Other performers will include local talents K B & Friends Jazz Band, Drawing Souls, The Witness, Listen 249 Band of Tifton and more (a complete list of times for all entertainment is in the Bank of Alapaha ad this edition).
Also, a street dance with the Kason Layne Band of Douglas will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the entertainment stage.
Community churches will gather at 11 a.m. Sunday at the gym for a joint worship service with Bro. Marv Williams, pastor of Mt. Zion Ministries of Enigma, as guest speaker. Morgan Jones will sing the National Anthem. The Celebration Choir under the direction of Jackie Spicer, worship leader at Alapaha Baptist Church, will provide praise and worship music. This will conclude the celebration for another year.
As always, the Celebration Committee is looking for new ideas, new entertainment and new committee members.
Local News
Related Photos
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During the Alapaha Station Celebration this weekend, there will be a bridge dedication in memory of Sgt. Maj. James E. “Jimmy” Jones of Alapaha. Contributed photo
Alapaha Station Celebration begins tonight
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