Alabama’s Bicentennial is officially in 2019. However, the Alabama Bicentennial Commission decided that Alabama has so much to celebrate that one year is not long enough. So, the commission has designated three years to the celebration, 2017-2019 and is encouraging local communities to get on the bandwagon.

The City of Troy Bicentennial Committee did not hesitate. The committee will host a community-wide meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at The Studio in downtown Troy for the specific purpose of gathering ideas for the city’s bicentennial celebration and everyone is invited.

Stephanie Baker, who co-chairs the committee with Isaiah Scott, said the Alabama Bicentennial Commission is asking communities throughout the state to have individual reunions and celebrations highlighting their people, places and history.

“The meeting on Thursday will be an opportunity for brainstorming ideas, for input and to get the creative juices flowing,” Baker said. “The three years of the Alabama Bicentennial will be a great time for reunions of schools, churches, clubs and organizations. These reunions would bring alumni and members back to Troy.”

Baker said reunions of local high schools, Troy University and Academy Street School have the potential to bring large numbers of people back to Troy and to involve large numbers of people.

“As plans get underway for these reunions, more people will be needed to assist with the planning and carrying out of the plans,” Baker said.  Reunions are perhaps at the forefront of any centennial-type celebration but Baker said they are just a beginning point.

“Our meeting on Thursday will be open for discussion as to what all Troy has to celebrate and the many ways to celebrate,” she said. “The Alabama Bicentennial is an opportunity to celebrate our history, our people and our places and over the three years from 2017 through 2019. “Three years gives us time to plan and to budget. We invite everyone to come to Thursday’s meeting with ideas to share.”

The Studio is on East Walnut Street in downtown Troy, directly across from the Johnson Center for the Arts.