Mound Bayou held 137th anniversary event on July 12
By Jack Criss, The Bolivar Bullet
With its theme of “Restore Our Ancestor’s Resilience,” the 137th Annual Founder’s Day Celebration for the town of Mound Bayou was held Friday, July 12, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church. The celebration, which actually is observed for several days in the town, featured a keynote address by Congressman Bennie Thompson on Friday night, along with several other activities.
Brenda Cook-Hall, the president of the Mound Bayou Civic Club – which is the key sponsor of the Founder’s Day event every year – said that this year’s celebration was a major success.
“We take this time every year to commemorate our town’s resiliency and to recognize its history and those who led the way, our founders,” said Cook-Hall. “In addition, we at the Civic Club offers two scholarships each year to deserving senior students here in Mound Bayou.”
People from all over Bolivar County and different states, approximately 100, attended this year’s celebration and Congressman Thompson’s speech was “very motivating and filled with pertinent information to continue to move Mound Bayou forward,” said Cook-Hall.
“The Mound Bayou Unity Group here in town also approached the Civic Club with the idea of a youth group putting on a play focusing on remembering our forefathers and foremothers and it was actually performed the Thursday night before our major celebration,” continued Cook-Hall. “That was wonderful, as the young actors paid homage to the first child born in Mound Bayou as well as the other founders of our community. The play actually kicked off our festivities.”
The annual, traditional graveside observance was also held this year on Friday with singing and speeches, this year given by local minister, Pastor Willie J. Jackson. “A small group of citizens gather to pay their respects to the founders and fellow citizens who are buried there at the Bethel A.M.E. Church,” said Cook-Hall.
The Founders’ Day Celebration is the highlight of Mound Bayou, said Cook-Hall, as people gather to recommit to the vision and strength of the town’s founders and plan on how to better their community going forward.
“And this year was so very special,” she said. “We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!”