Sesquicentennial schedule
All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Today
8:30 a.m.: Massachusetts Mile Race, starting at South Park, 11th and Massachusetts streets. $12.
10 a.m.: Sesquicentennial Parade from Buford M. Watson Jr. Park, south on Massachusetts Street to South Park. Rain or shine.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Sesquicentennial stamp cancellation, Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass., $5 per envelope.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Early Settlement of Douglas County, Watkins Community Museum of History.
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Birthday party in South Park, with free birthday cake, games, exhibits, food, vendors and souvenirs.
Noon: Birthday concert by the Lawrence City Band, South Park gazebo.
Noon (approximate), 2 p.m., 4 p.m.: Della Hadley in historical costume as Sara Robinson, wife of Charles Robinson, first governor of Kansas, Children’s Book Shop, 937 Mass. Activity books on Lawrence history will be given to all children. The first performance begins 30 minutes after end of parade.
12:30 p.m.: Luncheon for descendants of Amos Lawrence, Watkins Community Museum of History, reservations required. $20.
1 p.m.: Pie-eating contest, South Park.
2 p.m.: Beard contest, South Park Gazebo.
2:15 p.m.: Group singing of “Lawrence, We Love You,” South Park Gazebo.
3 p.m.: Grand Entry Celebration Social Powwow, Haskell Powwow Grounds. Cultural dances featuring the California Pomo Bird Dancers.
7 p.m.: Street Dance in the Park with Kelley Hunt, Billy Ebeling and the Late for Dinner Band, South Park.
Sunday
1 p.m.: Lawrence High School Alumni Hall of Honor presentation, LHS Atrium, 1901 La.
3 p.m.-4 p.m.: Music at Sesquicentennial Point, Clinton Lake.
4 p.m.: Closing ceremony at Sesquicentennial Point. Introduction of contributors, burial of official time capsule to be opened in 2054. Refreshments will be served.
City’s birthday bash continues with parade(09-18-04)
6News video: Lawrence Sesquicentennial honors LHS and HINU (09-17-04)
Photo Gallery: Scenes from Lawrence’s past
City Government
City of Lawrence ‘assessing options’ in the wake of racist and antisemitic hate speech shared at recent commission meeting
City of Lawrence campsite reporting form has received 230 reports since October; only 57 campsites confirmed
City Commission meeting interrupted by racist, antisemitic hate speech
Lawrence City Commission set for light agenda this week
Campers who remain at North Lawrence site after closing date will be trespassed, but city doesn’t expect that to happen
