County Mayor Eugene Ray (center) addresses the crowd at Saturday's tree-lighting ceremony. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Today marks Bedford County's 200th birthday. The county was chartered Dec. 3, 1807, made up of land which had previously been part of Rutherford County. It was named for Revolutionary War hero Thomas Bedford.

The Christmas tree planted this year on the courthouse lawn was lit in what Bicentennial organizers hope will be an annual ceremony. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge]

Bedford County Bicentennial Organizing Committee is capping off a year of observances with tonight's celebration at Blue Ribbon Circle on the Celebration grounds. The committee also organized Saturday's "Celebration of Christmas Past" on the public square.

Saturday's event included merchant open houses, free chili and soft drinks, wagon rides around the square, a cookie contest, the singing of Christmas carols and photos with Santa Claus. It ended with the lighting of a Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn, which organizers hope will become an annual tradition.

Bedford County's history has been a rich and diverse one. Two Tennessee governors -- Prentice Cooper and Jim Nance McCord -- have made their home here, as well as the second governor of Arkansas, Archibald Yell. The county was home to one of the world's most famous horses, Beautiful Jim Key, at the turn of the 20th century, but later became famous as the cradle and showplace for a different breed of horse, the Tennessee Walking Horse.

Painter George DeForsest Brush, Life magazine photographer Ed Clark, and folk artist Vannoy Streeter have called the county home. Shelbyville became known as "The Pencil City," and later "Sharpieville," and the county's athletic triumphs have included well-known football teams from Bedford County Training School and girls' basketball teams from Central High School, plus an NFL star, Jim Mitchell, who passed away just a few weeks ago.

Tonight's event will include a dramatic and musical performance organized by Marilyn Massengale, and heavy hors d'oeuvre will be served, as well as an official county birthday cake. Gov. Phil Bredesen's proclamation of today as "Bedford County Day" in Tennessee will be referenced.

Although organizers had been asking for RSVPs in order to prepare seats and food for tonight's crowd, activities co-chair Dawn Holley said this morning that there will be room for a few last-minute guests who haven't had the chance to respond. The event is free.