Robbinsville – Graham County turned 150 in January and organizers are paying catch-up to put together some kind of celebration to observe the sesquicentennial milestone.
Graham County Commissioner Dale Wiggins said the process to plan a celebration started two years ago, but COVID-19 outbreaks have thwarted all previous efforts.
A meeting was finally held on March 22 at the Graham County Community Building, during which more than a dozen people expressed interest in helping plan for events this year.
Graham County Travel and Tourism Director Daniel Allison said there is a window of opportunity to hold the celebration, a window centered around the county’s innkeepers and their ability to accommodate guests for the once-in-a-lifetime event. That window is the five weeks between the week after July Fourth until mid-August, when the new school semester starts.
Other events are already planned during the summer, including a car show and a Taylor Hicks concert.
Graham County Travel and Tourism plans to be an event sponsor, said Wiggins, who is also a member of the Travel and Tourism board. Graham County Historical Association also plans to participate.
Lots of ideas were voiced during the March 22 meeting, but the main challenge a 150th celebration faces is finding volunteers.
Volunteers are needed at all levels, from servers and ticket takers, to marketing, and even event planners.
The hope is that drawing attention to these needs will serve to encourage people with the necessary skillsets to contribute their time and talent.
A fledgling executive committee was formed and included two representatives from Robbinsville, including alderwoman Debbie Beasley. Representatives are being sought from throughout the county to participate, including Robbinsville, Stecoah, Fontana Dam and Tapoco.
Graham County was founded on Jan. 30, 1872, when it was carved out from Cherokee County. It celebrated its centennial in 1972, when organizers took about a month to plan the celebration.
The next planning meeting will be 5 p.m. Monday at the Graham County Community Building.