You don’t turn 200 every day. That’s why COV200 is hosting the birthday bash of the century – in fact, two centuries – in honor of the city of Covington’s bicentennial.
Over the course of the three days – Feb. 6, 7 and 8 – COV200 will host four events, each celebrating the pride, progress and future growth of Covington.
“Our goal was to create a weekend that would commemorate and celebrate everything Covington has accomplished so far—and everything we have to look forward to in the future,” said Amanda Greenwell, COV200 Vice Chair.
Kicking things off Friday will be the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Ragtime Party, presented by the Center for Great Neighborhoods, COV200 and Steffen’s Tool Crib. Hosted at the former Hellman Lumber Building (Martin Luther King Boulevard), the free family-friendly event will run from 6-9 p.m. and will include entertainment by the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s Ragtime Band, and complimentary food and drink.
On Saturday, Feb. 7, the party continues with two events, the COV200 Bicentennial Gala and the COV200 Bicentennial Birthday Bash, both hosted at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., attendees of the COV200 Bicentennial Gala will enjoy a cocktail hour accompanied by the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and the Red Cat Jazz Band, and dinner with music by The Chuck Taylors. The gala program will center on honoring Covington’s past, present and future and will include the recognition of Covington’s longstanding businesses, oldest resident, upcoming special events, the announcement of the COV200 Bicentennial legacy project and more.
The Gala will conclude with guests moving to the COV200 Bicentennial Birthday Bash. The entire evening will run from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, Covington’s actual birthday. Tickets for the COV200 Bicentennial Gala are $125, with a portion of ticket proceeds benefiting Covington Partners, the coalition to promote positive youth development through collaboration.
Individuals can also choose to “toast the town that won’t slow down” by attending the COV200 Bicentennial Birthday Bash, also hosted at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. that same evening. Free to attend, guests will celebrate at the stroke of 12, which marks Covington’s official step into its third century. While free, advanced registration for the COV200 Birthday Bash is required. Open to individuals 21 and up, the COV200 Bicentennial Birthday Bash will include a cash bar, entertainment by DJ, Jon Curl (Jon Jon), palm readers, magicians and plenty of dancing.
The birthday weekend will conclude with the premier of the Covington documentary, “Points of view: Covington at 200.” Produced by Battery Row Productions, free screenings of the documentary will be hosted throughout the city, at venues including the Behringer-Crawford Museum (2 p.m.), Baker Hunt (12 p.m.), Prince of Peace Montessori (6 p.m.), Madison Avenue Church (7 p.m.), the Covington branch of the Kenton County Library (1 p.m.), and the Arlinghaus House (4 p.m.). The screenings of the 75-minute documentary, which will include a brief opening by documentary producer, Steve Oldfield, will be open to the public. Copies of the film will also be available for purchase.
“We want the residents of Covington to know that this weekend will be one to remember,” added Greenwell. “Our hope is that everyone who attends one of these events will have lasting memories of Covington’s 200th birthday.”
For those who want to host their own COV200 bicentennial celebration, COV200 is also creating a free, downloadable COV200 Birthday Party Kit so individuals can ring in the city’s third century from the comfort of their own homes or businesses. The Birthday Party Kit includes everything needed to host a COV200 birthday party, such as music playlists, banners and posters you can print at home, cocktail recipes, games and more. Kits will be available later this month (click here).
For more information on The COV200 Bicentennial Birthday Celebration Weekend, visit www.cov200.com or contact Kate Esarey, COV200 coordinator, at kate@greatneighborhoods.org. A variety of volunteer opportunities for the COV200 Bicentennial Gala are available. Individuals interested in volunteering should visit the COV200 website’s “Get Involved” page for details. Support for Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Ragtime Party comes from Artwave, sponsored by The Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee.
From COV200