Vicksburg is broaching a once-in-a-lifetime celebration as the River City marks its 200th year in 2025, and the people who call it home are invited to participate in the planning process.

A year-long celebration is in the planning stages, with educational opportunities to teach the rich and diverse culture and history of Vicksburg. Additionally, the Vicksburg 200 committee is scheduling art, performance and culinary events featuring local residents to entertain and highlight the tremendous talent found in the city. 

“Jan. 29 is the big day, it is the commemoration day, but what the team has planned is year-long activities and even some things leading up to the celebration,” said Kelle Barfield, owner of Lorelei Books. “We are hoping to partner with groups and performers to heighten the quality of life to an already great city rich with performance arts and so forth.” 

Members of the Vicksburg 200 committee include Anne Elizabeth Buys, Chamber of Commerce staff and committee organizer; Walter Osborne, Clerk for the city of Vicksburg; Pablo Diaz, President and CEO of the  Vicksburg Warren Partnership; Laura Beth Strickland, Executive Director of Visit Vicksburg; Erin Southard, Executive Director of Vicksburg Convention Center; Kim Hopkins, Executive Director of Vicksburg Main Street;  Bess Averett, Executive Director of Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign; Linda Fondren, founder and Executive Director of Catfish Row Museum and Barfield. 

“We are excited about this celebration because it will bridge the past and the future. This committee’s focus will be to plan events bringing inspiration and confidence to our city — values every town desperately needs today,” Fondren said.