Jefferson Maryland looks to celebrate its 250th Anniversary with a downtown parade.
As Jefferson, Maryland turns 250 years old in 2024, the small town is celebrating with a two-day event.
The anniversary will start on Friday night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Jefferson Ruritan Club. The center will transform into a museum, featuring old historic artifacts dating back decades, calling it the “Museum of Jefferson history,” according to James Morgan Jr. the chairman of the event.
Some artifacts include old fire trucks, antique cars, parts from an old plane wreckage, and more.
On Saturday, the event runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the town. Morgan said the anniversary will also, “have games, music, all sorts of activities for the kids.” These activities include moon bounces, pony rides, a 5k family run, walking tours of the town, and more.
The parade kicks off at 11:30 a.m., which consists of floats, marching bands, as provided by the local schools and volunteers, and more, and will be an all day event.
Additionally, Saturday local businesses such as the Little Red Barn Ice Cream Shop and Dunkin Donuts will thrive with the footraffic going about the town. To cap it all off, there will be a grand firework show put on by the Ruritan center as well as the Station 20 Fire Department with a rendition of the song “Taps.”
Morgan, 79, has been a resident in Jefferson for over 45 years. In that time, he was a firefighter for 37 years and is currently active in the Jefferson Ruritan Club. He is the vice president of the Ruritan and will be president in 2025.
Morgan said he’s more than excited to be the chairman for the parade.
“There is a lot of history in this town,” he said.
He wants to“serve the people.” To share the same love he has for this town to younger and newer residents.
This is not Morgan’s first rodeo when it comes to organizing a citywide parade. Back in the early ‘70s, he helped put on both the city, and county Bicentennial parade for Frederick, Maryland.
“I’ve helped with two big parades in Frederick, this one in Jefferson is the first one I’ve been in charge of,” he said.
