The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center (MMCC) hosted its annual Independence Day Concert and Picnic last Wednesday.
Hundreds of attendees gathered on the organization’s front lawn in Madison to watch The Classic City Band of Athens perform, while also enjoying a variety of crafts, including face painting, a table decorating contest, and rock painting.
Despite high temperatures, hundreds of visitors attended the event to celebrate the country amid the cultural center’s longtime tradition.
According to MMCC Marketing Director Jillian Jones, it takes several months for MMCC to implement the annual concert and picnic plans. “The ideal time frame would be about six months in advance,” she said. “I usually like to start advertising the event heavily anywhere between two to six weeks beforehand.”
Over the past two years, MMCC has made some additions to the event and its features, such as a table-decorating contest as a fundraiser for the cultural center, where participants pay an entry fee. The event’s committee also added local food trucks and children’s activities, which have become a hit with the community.
During the event, Eric Joyce, an MMCC Board of Trustees member, dressed up as Uncle Sam and took pictures with many attendees.
“It’s a wonderful event that has a really great reputation in Madison and Morgan County,” he said.
Joyce is in his fourth year as a board member and third in dressing up for the Independence Day event.
“Before, I think parents were more hesitant to bring their kids because there wouldn’t be much for them to do when the kids are restless,” Jones said. “It lets parents and their kids have a way to take part in the festivities instead of just chilling.”
Jones appreciates the community’s contributions to making the event’s features possible, especially the activities available for children. For instance, she credited Morgan Outdoors for donating the rocks for painting and a local real estate agent for offering art supplies for the face painting.
With another year in the books for the annual celebration, Jones looks forward to seeing the turnout of the long-running tradition.
“Ultimately, it’s just a really fun event,” she said. “If you’re in Madison for July 4th, it is just a good way to be in the community with everybody, and on the front lawn, to enjoy some food and drinks and just listen to the sounds of The Classic City Band.”
Joyce, also a member of Madison City Council, has attended 12 MMCC Independence Day celebrations after living in the city for 17 years. He believes community participation makes the tradition special.
“Everybody wants to come to this despite the obvious heat,” Joyce said. “We get great patriotic music and honor our country every July 3rd.”
He added that community participation is his favorite part of the popular event. He also believes the celebration is an excellent way to honor the site’s history.
“People come out and enjoy our absolutely gorgeous historic 1895 building and the lawn in front of it,” he said.
The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center recently welcomed David Nunn as the site’s executive director. Before joining the center’s staff, Nunn recently retired after serving as Madison’s city manager for over 20 years.
With Nunn’s addition, Joyce said he’s looking forward to all the upcoming events that MMCC has in store.
“We’ve got a big lineup of events through the remainder of the calendar, musical and fun events,” he said. “We’re looking forward to an excellent year again.”