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The Warren Central High School drumline provided music for Monday's event. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Pictured are Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Partnership CEO Pablo Diaz, left, and Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Pictured from left, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., Ward 2 Alderman Alex Monsour and Ward 1 Alderman Thomas "T.J." Mayfield listen during Monday's presentation. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Pictured, from left, are Vicksburg 200 Committee members Chris Rials, Kim Hopkins, Toni Williams, Kelle Barfield, Johnny Reynolds and Linda Fondren unveiling new artwork for the River City’s bicentennial Monday at Washington Street Park. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Pictured, from left, are Vicksburg 200 Committee members Laura Beth Strickland, Alex Monsour, Donna Gray, Chris Rials, Kim Hopkins, Toni Williams, Kelle Barfield, Johnny Reynolds, Pablo Diaz, Linda Fondren, George Flaggs Jr. and Thomas “T.J.” Mayfield. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

Visit Vicksburg Executive Director Laura Beth Strickland speaks at Monday's Vicksburg Bicentennial kickoff at Washington Street Park. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)

The 200th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Vicksburg is six months away, and city officials took that opportunity Monday to let the public in on plans to celebrate the bicentennial with a preview of events scheduled throughout 2025.

During a ceremony held at Washington Street Park, officials laid out plans for the celebrations and unveiled new artwork created Ricky’s Welding and Machine Shop on Levee Street. The committee also officially unveiled its logo, created by local artist Drew Landon.

“The Vicksburg 200 Committee has been working on ways to celebrate our community that will be fun, as well commemorative, for both residents and visitors,” Visit Vicksburg Executive Director Laura Beth Strickland said. “Our hope is that people will come back to be part of a variety of 200th anniversary events to celebrate our hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi.”

Strickland said the 2025 celebration will begin on the January 29th 200th anniversary of incorporation and will last throughout the year, focusing on five themes.

“We have worked on some themes that we want to make sure to incorporate as we plan different events, educational initiatives and incorporate our history, as well as look forward to the future,” she said.

The official bicentennial themes include: People; The River; Art and Culture; Lifestyle; and Government and Military. Each will be honored in its own way throughout 2025.

Strickland said the theme of people holds a special place amongst the planned events, as it is the River City’s residents and visitors who have made it what it is today.

“Most importantly, we want to celebrate the ones that make our community who we are,” she said. “A lot of our plans will include celebrating our Vicksburg people that have made a huge contribution to our city and our community in a significant way.”

Strickland said the public is also invited to honor those who have had a hand in molding Vicksburg by nominating specific people online.

“We know that a small committee cannot possibly pull all the names that are worthy to be on this list, so we want to recognize 200 Vicksburgers to be celebrated for their impact on our city and community.”

Strickland said nominations can be made at vicksburg200.com when the website goes live later this week.

The 2025 slate of scheduled events include:

January 29

200th anniversary of Vicksburg’s incorporation.

April 26

Music and culture festival.

July 4-6

Independence weekend.

December 31

New Year’s Eve celebration.

Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said the opportunity to celebrate Vicksburg’s long and storied history is one the River City should look forward to seizing.

“As mayor of this historical city, I stand here honored and proud that we are commemorating a remarkable milestone in the history of our beloved city,” Flaggs said. “As we celebrate our bicentennial, we reflect on 200 years of resilience, culture and progress that has shaped Vicksburg into the extraordinary community that it is.”

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