A group committed to bringing perhaps the biggest wing-ding ever to Callaway County in 2020 visited this week with Fulton City Council members.
Local attorney Joe Holt is chair of the Callaway 200 committee, and Gracia Backer, co-chair. Also with them were John Bell and Susan Krumm.
"We're going to have one hell of a celebration," Bell said. "It will be something that each and every one of you in the community will remember."
In November 2020, Callaway County will celebrate its 200th anniversary. The year-long celebration will kick off in October 2019, followed by mid-year events and a finale in November 2020.
The whole county will be included, and some events may be paired with other, long-standing events.
"We started talking about this in early April," Backer said. "We're so much in the preliminary stages of planning."
The committee is asking for community support, from city and county governments, private individuals and businesses. They asked the council to include a $30,000 donation for Callaway 200 in their next-year budget.
"It would be a one-time contribution," Backer said.
"That number surprised me," Councilmember Jeff Stone said. "I don't know what I was expecting, but not that."
Backer said her family settled at Cote Sans Dessein, an old settlement no longer in existence and under private ownership currently.
"My fourth great-grandfather settled there in 1805, I think," Backer added.
In 1817, there were 350 or so residents served by two dry goods stores, a grocery, tavern and blacksmith shop.
"We'd like to get permission and go down there on a road trip in the back of a pickup truck," Backer said.
Holt said his family arrived in Callaway County 199 years ago.
"This celebration is something we need to do for our county to bring us together," he said. "As quickly as we can put things together, we'll bring information back to you and asking for your consideration."