Events planned throughout the year to mark 200th anniversary of Jacksonville’s founding
By Kyla Hurt
The Jacksonville Bicentennial Gala was a night to remember! Held the evening of Saturday, January 25 at Hamilton’s 110 North East, the event symbolized a kick-off to this year’s observance of 200 years of history and heritage in Jacksonville, 1825-2025.
Highlights from the semi-formal event included cocktails, dinner and dancing — and announcement of what is to come about the Jacksonville Bicentennial Celebration.
The City of Jacksonville Bicentennial Committee is led by City of Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard. The celebrations are to culminate with a Jacksonville, Illinois 200th Anniversary Bash on Saturday, October. 4 in downtown Jacksonville. The intended features of the bash include a variety of foods, live music and historical tours — plus the unearthing of a time capsule, which was buried during Jacksonville’s 150th anniversary in 1975. Also highlighted on that day will be homecomings for both Jacksonville High School and Illinois College.
Throughout the year, the community can expect community-driven plans as well. Several annual events have hinted to incorporated the bicentennial into their happenings. For example, the Sept. 5-6 Prairieland Chautauqua theme for 2025 will be, “Greetings from Jacksonville, 1825-2025.”
Click on the QR code with this article to be directed to the “Jacksonville, IL Bicentennial” page on the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website, jacksonvilleil.org. Some events currently scheduled throughout 2025 include the following.
Taste of Tourism and Bicentennial Celebration
May 4 • 2-6 p.m.
Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
310 E. State Street
Governor Duncan Blues & BBQ
June 8 • 4-8 p.m.
Twisted Tree
1061 E. Morton Avenue
Rotary Club of Jacksonville 4th of July Parade
July 4 • TBA
Downtown Jacksonville
Prairieland Chautauqua
Sept. 5 • 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 6 • 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nichols Park
110 Holkenbrink Drive
Jacksonville Illinois 200th Finale
Oct. 4 • TBA
Central Park, downtown Jacksonville
Illinois College Homecoming
Oct. 4 • 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Illinois College
1101 W. College Avenue
