The Jackson Madison County Bicentennial Commission will kick off the year-long celebration of the City of Jackson and Madison County’s 200-year anniversaries with an event unlike anything that has ever been hosted in Downtown Jackson.

Festivities for the Birthday Bash Kick off event will start at 2 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market and will feature live music, family-friendly activities, food and more. The full itinerary can be found at jacksonmadison200.com. Highlights include the following:

2 p.m. – Family activities including train rides, petting zoo, life-size games, crafts, storytime, emergency vehicles, slides, obstacle course, escape room, scavenger hunt, living history reenactors and more.

2 p.m.- Live music from the Sounds of Jackson stage at the corner of Shannon St. and Main St., will feature gospel music from Patricia Cooper & Family, E. J. Shelton, Kelsea Merriweather and Wesley Johnson;  and followed by Scott Myatt Music, Gloria White, La Ley Band, Angela Northern Smooth Jazz Progression.

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.- Food trucks including The Owl’s Nest, 2 Picky Chicks, Hot Pop Kettle Corn, Family Egg Rolls, The Farmer’s Perk, LaCubanita and Carter’s Concessions.

6 p.m. – The ribbon cutting to mark the beginning of the bicentennial year will be performed by City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger, Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris and Bicentennial Commission Co-Chair Elaine Christian. Immediately following introductions, live music will begin at Jackson’s AMP at the Market featuring Hub City Mass Youth Choir, Carita Cole, The Doublewides, Bryan Moffitt and Magi Band.

To celebrate the event, LIFT Wellness Center will offer two free yoga classes at 10 a.m. in front of the Amp (bring a mat) and at 2:30 p.m. in the Lift at Studio 1. Plus, admission to the Carnegie will be free on this day for anyone interested in learning more about musical legends from Jackson and Madison County.

Jackson Transit Authority (JTA) will provide free rides on August 14 to and from downtown. Ticket passes are required and can be picked up at City Hall and Jackson Transit Authority.

JTA will also provide a free trolley shuttle from the Civic Center to downtown for overflow parking. Ticket passes are not required for the trolley.

The Birthday Bash Kickoff Celebration is made possible by Voya Financial Advisors – Jackson, TN and FirstBank. Legacy sponsors for the bicentennial include the City of Jackson, Madison County, Jackson Energy Authority and West Tennessee Healthcare.

Follow @jacksonmadison200 on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the Birthday Bash Kickoff Celebration and other Jackson Madison County Bicentennial events. Information is also posted at jacksonmadison200.com.