Colony, Wallace State recognized for Bicentennial programs

Published 5:43 pm Friday, April 17, 2020

Two local bicentennial programs have been recognized by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission for their part in celebrating the state’s 200th birthday last year.

The town of Colony and Wallace State Community College Fine and Performing Arts Department both received Alabama Bicentennial Commendation awards for their bicentennial programs.

Cullman County Museum Director Drew Green, who served as the chairman of the Cullman County Bicentennial Committee, said he was happy to see some of the area’s programs be awarded at the state level.

“I’m really proud, and I give all the credit to the people who helped make it possible,” he said.

Colony received recognition for a series of murals that were created around the town to celebrate their unique heritage as one of the few African-American founded communities in Alabama.

Wallace State’s program, “Stars Fell on Alabama: Music Inspired by a Southern State” was a production featuring the Wallace State Singers, Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band and Theatre programs.

It debuted in April 2019 at the college before going on a European tour of Germany and France, including Cullman’s sister city of Frankweiler, Germany.

“We are so pleased the Alabama Bicentennial Commission recognized the show,” said Tiffany Richter, director of the Wallace State Singers and Choir in a press release. “Our students thoroughly enjoyed performing the songs and writing and performing original monologues based on their experiences of living in Alabama. They especially enjoyed learning about the musical legacy that the state of Alabama has across all genres.

“We are especially thankful to the local and state bicentennial committees for their support,” Richter added. “Their support helped make it possible for several of our students to join us on the European tour, which was a once-in-a-lifetime event for most of them.”

Green said the Cullman County Bicentennial Committee provided funding for several other projects around the county that highlighted some of its history, and it was thanks to the committee’s efforts to work together to make sure everyone was represented.

“We weren’t to hobble each other, we were trying to help each other shine brighter,” he said.

Cullman County’s bicentennial committee was one of the first ones formed in the state, and state bicentennial commission chair Arthur Orr and vice-chair Lee Sentell commended the committee’s efforts to produce multiple programs over the three-year bicentennial celebration, Green said.

“We represented a broad section of the people of Cullman County and our unique history,” he said.

Each winning project will receive a bronze plaque noting the name of the project and its award. The plaques will be a public reminder of the achievements of Alabama communities during the bicentennial commemoration.

For more information about Alabama’s bicentennial celebration and to find a list of award winners from around the state, visit alabama200.org