Hope’s 150th birthday celebrated Saturday

HOPE – From its beginning as a railroad station name, 150 years later, the City of Hope Saturday held its Sesquicentennial celebration.

During the morning there was a steady flow of traffic to the vendors. In the afternoon with the bounce houses, Dancetastics, carriage rides, the reading of proclamations and free food the crowd grew.

A welcome and introduction by Mayor Don Still was followed by State Representative Dolly Henley reading State Proclamation 1100 which honors Hope for being the Birthplace of Bill Clinton and Mike Huckabee.  The time capsule buried during the Centennial of Hope in 1975 was also opened.

The city was also honored for the efforts to improve the downtown. The collaboration between Hope Public Schools and UAHT resulting in the highest graduation rate of Hope High School Seniors with associate’s degrees was also recognized. Mention was also made of Hope being known for as “The Home of the World’s Largest Watermelons!”

Hope native son Mack McLarty read a statement from former President Bill Clinton in which he expressed gratitude for growing up in Hope. Mayor Still talked about having been present at the 100th Anniversary Celebration and read a proclamation from the city.

The bands were lively, and people were encouraged to dance if they recognized the tunes. Songs ranged from Brown Eyed Girl to a Beatles tune and many other classic songs.

Mack McLarty made the statement to Hope-Prescott News that that he, his wife Donna, and his son Mark feel it’s a great honor and joy to be in Hope. He talked about feeling gratitude for the support the good people of Hope gave, and that Hope is a special place.

All above photos by Eric Mclaurin

The following are photos by Terri Perkins

 

photos by Paul Oller