The Reunion Troy committee met Thursday to continue discussing plans for the Alabama Bicentennial in 2019.

Committee Chair Stephanie Baker said the Alabama Bicentennial will actually be a three-year celebration with the idea of focusing on places in 2017, people in 2018 and stories in 2019.

“That’s just a guide,” she said. “We can explore any of those areas at any time.”

ALABAMA 200 is an opportunity to experience and explore the State of Alabama. It’s a chance to celebrate the places in each of the 67 counties from the Shoals to the shores.

Between 2017 and 2019, ALABAMA 200 will engage residents and visitors in educational programs, community activities and statewide initiatives that teach, inspire and entertain.

The statewide celebration kicked off on May 5 in Mobile. The city hosted a formal ceremony launching the three-year birthday celebration.

“The committee’s idea for Troy is a Launch Party concept,” Baker said. “Much like a family reunion in the early fall.”

Other suggests presented were banners or yard signs and pop-up signs placed around town with historical photos and information paired with downtown historical spots.

What’s a party without music and games?

Baker said other suggestions are to depict the decades throughout “reunion” day with music, games and contests such as a hula-hoop contest or a costume contest. Or perhaps games of checkers and dominoes.

William White, Troy Public Library director, said the library is already celebrating with a mural that is in-progress on the wall in the genealogy room.

Plans are to have after-hours events and invite the people of the community to come and explore their ancestry with the assistance of the library staff.

The Johnson Center for the Arts and Troy University are planning a musical about the coming of the railroad and the impact that it had on the survival and growth of Troy.

Baker said hopes are the businesses and organizations will get on the bandwagon and have events of their own.

“We have three years to celebrate Alabama’s Bicentennial and we want to be a part of that and to also celebrate our heritage as a city,” Baker said.

The Alabama Bicentennial celebration is being coordinated by the City of Troy Tourism and Public Relations Department. Those who have ideas or want to know how to become involved are encouraged to stop by the tourism office in downtown Troy.