Fayetteville is 200, and you’re invited to big party June 3

The Bicentennial Celebration includes a market, music, Falcons, and fireworks — 

The City of Fayetteville’s much-anticipated Bicentennial Celebration is less than two weeks away, With the time drawing near, the event planning committee released the official Schedule of Events for the June 3 spectacular, which will take place at both the Historic Courthouse Lawn and City Center Park. A downloadable version of the schedule is available at www.fayetteville-ga.gov/200th.

A 75-vendor Makers Market will be featured from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Historic Courthouse Lawn, with live music to include “The Voice” singer Taylor Lee from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Atlanta Drumline from 6 p.m. to 6:15, and Rooted in Texas soloist Megan Ashley from 6:15 to 8 p.m.. Fayette County Historical Society will host its “Tales & Ales” walking tour fund-raiser from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to kick off the day of downtown festivities.

The Makers Market food truck lineup includes Arnaud’s BBQ, Mommies Empanadas, and Wing & Waffle Factory. Sweets will be provided by The Cereal Lab and Sunset Slush. Beverages will be on tap from Gremlin Growlers, Awkward Brewery, and Line Creek Bus Barn.

The main gathering will take place two blocks away at City Center Park, where Mayor Ed Johnson will take the stage at 5 p.m. to welcome the community, introduce special guests, and announce the commencement of the Bicentennial Celebration. He will be followed by live performances from The New Quintet, The Tyler Neal Band, and headliner Forrest Isn’t Dead.

The concerts will give way to a ten-minute firework show at 9:30 p.m.

Food trucks at City Center Park will include Baltimore Crab Cakes, PTC Grill, Meatballerz, and Hog Pitt BBQ. Sweets will be offered by Operation Mini Donuts, Mayday Hippo, and Scoops. Adult beverages will be poured by Line Creek Bus Barn.

A special Encore after Dark will wind down the evening just behind Fayetteville City Hall, which is adjacent to City Center Park, from 9:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. Soloist David Baty will keep the party going with a mixture of rock and blues, and a bar will be operated by Twisted Taco.

Special guests at City Center Park will include Freddie Falcon and the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, who will host an inflatables fun zone for kids.

Ample parking will be available throughout Downtown Fayetteville. Parking maps are being developed and will be published soon.

Stay tuned to the City’s website for updates and more information: www.fayetteville-ga.gov/200th.

Established by the State of Georgia on March 28, 1823, Fayetteville is now officially 200 years old.

Back in 1823, there was no “Atlanta” yet. That crossroads 20 miles north of Fayetteville would become known as Terminus in 1837 and Marthasville in 1843 before it was named Atlanta in 1847.

When Fayetteville was founded, the United States of America was only 47 years old, and Fayette County, Georgia was only two years old. By the mid-1800s, Fayetteville is said to have had a population of around 100 people.

According to the United States Census, Fayetteville now has more than 19,000 residents within the city limits alone, with tens of thousands more calling it their hometown. More than just a crossroads, Fayetteville is now home to one of the largest regional retail centers in the state, one of the largest movie studio campuses in the nation, and what will become one of the largest data centers in the world.

All the while, people in this community still enjoy a friendly, small-town atmosphere, a revitalized historic district, and a growing number of events and activities that appeal to residents and guests of every generation, according to the news release from the city.