Perry celebrates 200th anniversary with Pop Up Party

PERRY, Ga. — To celebrate Perry’s 200th birthday, the city held a District 1 Pop Up Party this past Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Tabitha Clark, the city’s Communication Manager, organized the event.

Deputy Fire Marshall Ian Harvey, Economic Development Director Holly Wharton, and District 1 Council Member Phyllis Bynum-Grace accompanied Clark around the surrounding neighborhoods in District 1. Clark said the first Pop Up Party was a huge success, and people really enjoyed it despite its spontaneity. 

The event started at Johnny Noble Dixon Park, then moved to the Creekwood Park and Willie Teonate Williams Park neighborhoods. It finished at the neighborhoods behind Cracker Barrel and Perry Feed and Tack. 

“We were able to connect with a lot of citizens, kids and families that really enjoy us coming around and saying ‘Hi,’” Clark said 

There wasn’t just talk, but also gifts. These included mini cupcakes, an official 200th celebration booklet, fidget spinners and frisbees for the kids, and magnets for the adults.  

“[The booklet] gives history about Perry, where it started and where we’ve come as a city and community since 200 years ago. It also has information about the historic tours that we’re going to be doing at the end of the year and information about the Perry Area Historical Society as well. They are the gatekeepers of the information so they have been an amazing resource for us to help get that history out,” Clark said. 

The Pop Up Party was going to feature a unique antique fire truck. However, the city had an unexpected change of plans.

“The motor of the firetruck is over 70 years old and the firefighters at station two have been working on it for a long time just to make sure that it is tuned up,” Clark said. 

Clark mentioned that the fire truck was used for a retired firefighter’s funeral. It was working fine then, but it started backfiring, so they decided not to use it for this event.

“Instead of canceling the event, we used our other resources that were available. We had that old-fashioned trolley that we used during the Christmas parade, so we were very fortunate that Public Works was able to get that out for us really quickly,” Clark said 

Clark hopes the firetruck can be used for future Pop Up Parties. 

“Fingers crossed; If not, then we’ll use the trolley. It works just as well,” Clark said. 

This event was not the only Pop Up Party. Clark said the city of Perry plans to hold more of them throughout the three districts. 

“Because the districts are kind of large, we’re going to go to each district and cut them in half. We have five more Pop Up Parties scheduled throughout the year. We wanted to make sure the actual concept of the Pop Up Party was something that is efficient and effective. After yesterday, we know that it really is,” Clark said. 

Overall, she felt the Pop Up Party was a great start to the many events coming to Perry this year. 

“It was very important to us to think outside of the box and figure out how we can bring the celebration and the history to the people in the neighborhoods in the communities that make up Perry,” Clark said. “We just wanted to make sure that we did not miss out on trying to get as many citizens involved as possible.”  

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