Tallahassee celebrates 200 years in 2024: Here's a look at the upcoming bicentennial events

The city’s official birthday is not until March 4th, but leaders kicked things off on Sunday as locals welcomed the new year with a community party at Cascades Park.

Elizabeth Emmanuel, the CEO of Tallahassee’s Downtown Improvement Authority says the event was in celebration of the new year and Tallahassee’s bicentennial.

“It’s important to recognize the past and review the lessons we have learned from it," said Emmanuel. "It’s also really important to celebrate how far we have come as a community, and how far we are going to go.”

As the clock struck midnight, Tallahassee residents cheered and applauded as fireworks lit up the night sky. The city's Downtown Improvement Organization was one of the groups that organized the party.

“While we’ve got 200 years behind us, we’ve also got a really bright future," said Emmanuel. "Highlighting that throughout the year, is a really exciting opportunity."

Sunday's New Years celebration jumpstarted a host of events planned to honor the bicentennial. The city and county will be partnering up with other groups in the area to carry out similar activities throughout the year.

Here's a look at a few upcoming events:

History Of Hip Hop Symposium
On January 10th @ 5:30 pm a panel of scholars, local historians, and music industry professionals will have a discussion on the history of hip hop and its impact on local music.

Tallahassee-Leon County Bicentennial Day
On Thursday, January 11, state lawmakers will mingle in the courtyard of the state capitol building to celebrate the city’s 200-year anniversary. That event is from 11 am to 2 pm.

FAMU MLK Jr. Convocation
Florida A&M University annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation will be honoring the life of Dr. King on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 10:10 a.m. in the Al Lawson Center.

You can visit tallahasseeleoncounty200.com, the official website for the bicentennial, for more important dates and information.