Plans for 100-year celebration moving forward
No set plans, but getting closer and moving forward.
That seemed to be the theme of Wednesday night’s Craig 100th Birthday Committee meeting held at Craig City Hall, where a few Craig residents continued to hammer out details of the town’s upcoming centennial celebration.
Craig was incorporated April 21, 1908. The committee is planning events for April 21, 2008, and the 100 days to follow.
Atop the list of celebration events is bringing a big-name concert to town. After talking to a promoter, Craig Parks and Recreation Director Dave Pike said the Charlie Daniels Band, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band or .38 Special are possible performers, depending on the amount of sponsorship funding that can be raised.
“If we get somebody with a big name and crossover appeal, we could sell out,” Pike said. “Every body likes Charlie Daniels.”
Pike said bands such as the Charlie Daniels Band typically sell tickets for more than $30, but he suggested selling the tickets for $15, noting between tickets, concessions and other sales, they would be able to break even. The committee also discussed seeing if the Moffat County Fairgrounds has a concert location.
Debate about when to have the concert varied, from doing it at Grand Olde West Days or waiting to cap off the 100-year celebration on the last night.
“We need to give (the bands) some flexibility, so we can take advantage of them being here,” City Manager Jim Ferree said.
As a possible cost-saving measure, the committee is also looking for a performer who is already touring in the area. Pike is going to continue conversations with the promoter to see who might be available.
Conversation also centered on whether some events, such as parades and multiple concerts, should be coordinated with events already in place.
One example is not doing a parade just for the celebration, but coordinating with Grand Olde West Days.
“Let’s have one parade and make it a really big one,” Mayor Don Jones said, noting that putting on one parade is difficult in itself. Putting on a second one would be much more work.
By having just one parade, it attaches the 100-year celebration to the Grand Olde West Days, “and that’s a good thing,” committee member Carol Jacobson said.
Other issues discussed during the meeting included:
- There will be separate poster and logo contests. Details to come.
- Time capsules: what to put back into them.
- Ways to promote the history of Craig and Moffat County
- As part of the 100-year birthday celebration, the committee verbally agreed there will be a beard-growing contest.
- Black Mountain Theater has verbally agreed to perform a play.
- Committee is looking for dates or tie-ins into existing golf tournaments as part of the celebration.
- Looking to hold a community picnic at Loudy-Simpson Park, as parking at City Park might be too congested.
- Trying to ensure 100-year celebrations make their way to various parts of the town.
- Planting 100 trees in Craig for its 100th birthday.
- The possibility of a jet flyover
- Doing a Taste of Craig event, with the possibility of it being held downtown.
- Putting flyers in buildings older than 100 years.
- And discussions about what kind of memorabilia should be sold as part of the 100-year celebration.
The next Craig 100th Birthday Committee meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. June 27 at Craig City Hall, 300 W. Fourth St. The pubic is invited to attend.
Jerry Raehal can be reached at 970-824-7031, ext. 204, or at jraehal@craigdailypress.com.
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