The small Barbour County town of Clio celebrated its Quasquicentennial with a weekend of activities planned and sponsored by CHAPS, (Clio Historical and Preservation Society).

The town’s 125th anniversary celebration got off to a great start Friday night with a “Sing” under the stars at the Clio Fairgrounds and continued with a downtown parade and an arts and crafts show at the Fairgrounds on Saturday.

Mary P. Williams, CHAPS secretary, said the Quasquicentennial Celebration Parade was a great success and loads of fun.

“Downtown Clio was decorated with red, white and blue wreaths and flowers,” Williams said. “We had more than 30 units in the parade. The dignitaries were the Barbour County sheriff, the Barbour County commissioners, the Clio mayor and town council and the mayors from Clayton, Louisville and Bakerhill. We had beauty queens from Ariton and Clio and fire trucks and ambulances from Elamville, Ariton, Louisville and Clio. We also had several vintage and unique cars that added a lot to the parade.”

A highlight of the parade was a veterans’ float honoring all United States veterans, Williams said.

The arts and crafts fair was also a success with 33 vendors and outstanding musical entertainment.

“The day was hot but the fellowship was enjoyed by all,” Williams said. “It was a great day for Clio and a great way to celebrate our heritage. One hundred and 25 years ago, the citizens of our community had the zeal to incorporate their settlement as the town of Clio. Probate records show those citizens were busy meeting and supplying the required documents in the spring and summer of 1890. We think much like CHAPS was busy preparing for our Quasquicentennial Celebration in recognition of their commitment to permanency, adherence to civil government and sense of community pride.”

On Friday, the formal activities of the Clio Quasquicentennial will come to a close with the unveiling of a historical marker honoring the 1890 settlers and the longevity of their dreams, Williams said.

The unveiling will be at 2 p.m., Friday, July 17. Williams said the date was chosen to correspond with the month and day of Clio’s official incorporation. The unveiling site will be at the town mural in downtown Clio. The public is invited.