06/11/2026
Come join us tomorrow at Veterans Memorial
FEATURED IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF THE VOICE OF MORGAN COUNTY
Let's have a birthday party
Morgan to host festival honoring nation's 250 years
Morgan County is rolling out party favors, free food and entertainment in its initiative honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The county will celebrate on July 2 at Cotaco Park on the courthouse grounds, according to Morgan County America250 Chairwoman Sara McClellan.
“The celebration is designed to bring residents together through patriotic events, educational programs, historical recognition, family activities and community engagement that reflect both national pride and local heritage,” said McClellan, a business services coordinator with the County Commission.
On the planned celebration agenda is a presentation by Morgan County Director of Archives John Allison, who will talk about the county’s history and Daniel Morgan, a Revolutionary War general, for whom the county is named. The event will honor the Liberty Tree planted in Cotaco Park in late May.
The 10-foot tree, a Princeton Elm, is known for its grand vase shape, fast growth and tolerance to urban stress, according to the USDA Forest Service.
The tree’s annual growth is expected to be about 4 feet per year under ideal conditions. At maturity, Princeton Elms typically reach 50 to 70 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide.
Commission Chairman Ray Long was joined by Lawrence Hillis and James Henderson of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Sons of American Revolution and Cindy Whitaker of the Stephens Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution among others at the tree ceremony on May 26.
The July 2 celebration also will include free hot dogs, recognition of veterans, a trivia contest involving the U.S. flag, food trucks and a partnership with Calhoun Community College and its Arts Center.
Local singing artists Duane Walker and Tim Cannon will be at Cotaco Park singing American-themed music.
McClellan said the Commission’s event will lead into a festival continuing two blocks away at the Calhoun Community College Arts Center on Second Avenue.
She said the celebration emphasizes unity, civic pride, local history and community involvement while highlighting Morgan County’s role in Alabama’s story and America’s history.
McClellan said there is no charge to attend the county’s celebration.
The initiative also mirrors statewide celebrations being organized across Alabama, including official events supported by Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission.
More details on the July 2 celebration will be posted on the Morgan County Commission page when they are finalized.
Photo caption: At the Liberty Tree in Cotaco Park are, from left, Commission Chairman Ray Long, District 2 Commissioner Randy Vest, Morgan County America250 Chairwoman Sara McClellan, District 4 Commissioner Greg Abercrombie and District 3 Commissioner Matthew Frost.
