This year is the 65th anniversary of the historical event of Dade County rejoining the Union in 1945. The Downtown Development Authority and the Dade County Chamber have joined forces to recognize the event this year with a State of Dade Heritage Festival in May.
The State of Dade Heritage Festival is a celebration of the history of Dade County. It is focused on the myth and truth of Dade Country threatening to secede from Georgia and the recognition by President Truman of Dade County’s return to the union on July 4, 1945. The event will be subtitled: “Come See the History Behind the Myth of the Independent State of Dade.”
The event will be celebrated over a Friday night, May 21, and all day Saturday, May 22.
As history shows, there was a rejoining ceremony held around the Courthouse Square in 1945 that was attended by over 4,000. The big event was also aired live on the radio for millions across the South to hear on WSB Radio in Atlanta and made headlines in newspapers as far north as New York. This year, the festival will reenact the secession part of history, as well as the rejoining ceremony in the form of a two-act play. It will again be aired live on the radio, this time with local stations KWN AM & FM.
Additionally, there will be a parade, concerts and other entertainment throughout the festival.
The festival organizers are seeking food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, civic organizations, and volunteers that would like to be part of the historic event. Follow the Heritage Festival on Facebook and Twitter at State of Dade Heritage Festival.
Email Suzanne Pittman at suzannepittman@tvn.net or Butch Raper at butch@creativeinstallation.com for more information about the event or to participate.