Not impressed with 250th celebration
Published: September 24, 2009
The so-called “celebration” of the 250th anniversary of our town was a great disappointment.
Anyone driving into town this weekend would have had no idea that something special was going on. There were no banners or any other indications that a celebration was taking place. The shopkeepers on Main and Davis streets should have entered into the spirit of things, with window dressing and costumes. There should have been souvenier T-shirts, ball caps, etc. that would have been more popular than the expensive plates and glasses that were available.
Yowell Meadow offered only a few sponsored stands, the most interesting of which was the lady spinning wool and the quilters. The fife-and-drum group was wonderful, as well as the minutemen. But where was the rest of it? Where was the “Walk Through Time” that was advertised?
The parade, which lasted all of 20 minutes, was also disappointing. The high school bands were great as usual, and the NAACP float that depicted the rise from slavery to the presidency was right on target. The Antioch Baptist Church also had a great float depicting the history of their church. There should have been more of that sort of thing.
Where was the DAR, the history of the Boy and Girl Scouts, the various civic organizatons, etc.?
I think the Chamber of Commerce and tourism office have let us all down.
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FYI Mrs. Brandt is an 82 yr old widow, legally blind and has spinal arthritis. She is not physically ABLE to volunteer.
If she could’ve, she would’ve.
Articles, interviews, and ads ran in newspapers as well as radio & TV stations asking people to participate in all aspects of the 250th, including the “Walk Through Time” and the Parade. A community event is what YOU & I put into it. There are also a lot of things competing for people’s time, nowadays.
I’ve only lived here a few years and I volunteered to help with the 250th. It was a lot of fun and I got to know old-timers & new-comers. I bet Ms. Brandt’s ideas & help would have been welcomed.
Correction…60 years ago…forgive the typo.
I reiterate…I didn’t mean ANYTHING derogatory by this…I was just thinking back to the Bicenntenial 50 years ago when everybody in the area was involved and the population was MUCH smaller. There were balls, parades, events of all kinds that went on for a couple of days. The queen (Lucyle Humphries) and her court were escorted by USMC officers from Quantico and one of the girls (Ellen Moore) later married her escort. It was a great time and I am sorry the present population didn’t have an opportunity like that for whatever reason.
Quote: “The population is growing tremendouly, and I suspect that most of those who have moved in in the past decade, or so, do not have the time, or the motivation that those who are long time residents have. “
I wouldn’t touch that comment with a 10-foot pole! 
Perhaps, just perhaps (and this is only a theory) many new residents of Culpeper do not have the interest in the area that those who are natives, or near native,have. The population is growing tremendouly, and I suspect that most of those who have moved in in the past decade, or so, do not have the time, or the motivation that those who are long time residents have. I mean nothing derogatory by this but looking at the situation from another perspective.
I agree with County Mom & patefacio—participation was open to everyone, but it seems most groups and organizations chose not to be a part of the celebration. Why wouldn’t local civic, scout, etc. groups want to join in the festivities? It should also be clarified that the Chamber of Commerce was not an organizer of this event; it was handled by the Town & its Tourism Director, who did a great job with what she had to work with! Perhaps Ms. Brandt should have volunteered to help the 250th committee members arrange the event.
I wasn’t there so can’t comment, but anyhway..HAPPY BIRTHDAY,CULPEPER AND MANY MORE.
The police rodeo was the highlight of the whole weekend. Best thing Culpeper has had in years! We spent most of two days there.
And before you start, I do not ride or own a motorcycle. What made this event so special was the talent, precision, and dedication of these fine police officers.
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