Some of the ceremonial events for Cole County's bicentennial are over, but you still can take home one of several commemorative items.
The Cole County Bicentennial Committee has commissioned several products as a way for county residents to celebrate the county's 200th anniversary.
Cole County was founded Nov. 16, 1820, and Marion was the first county seat until 1829, when county government moved to Jefferson City.
If you'd like a keepsake from our county's 200th anniversary, consider these options:
- Prison Brews microbrewery is creating a special beer made with centennial hops to honor the bicentennial, and the committee commissioned a special numbered small batch of "Cole County 200 Missouri Bourbon Whiskey" from Blacksmith Artisanal Spirits, of Lohman.
- Tom and Sharon Naught have given the committee bottles of a wine made in Cole County called "Captain Cole Crimson." Norton grapes are the state grape of Missouri and produce a "rich, full-bodied red wine with character, balanced with good, almost Zinfandel-like mixed berry flavors," according to Missouri Wine Country.
- A limited number of commemorative coins, some made of brass, some silver.
- A bicentennial limited historical edition rifle, produced on the affordable, American-made Henry .22 LR rifle (Model H001 & H004). It combines "meticulous research, original artwork, and finely detailed engraving to celebrate the history of Cole County," and is only available through 2020. Two hundred Cole County Missouri bicentennial rifles are engraved in each of the two models by Historical Armory.
- The committee also is raffling off the proof bicentennial Golden Boy rifle, 200 chances at $50 per ticket. Tickets may be purchased at Samuel's Tuxedos.
To learn more about these items, call Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman at his commission office, 573-634-9113, or his business, Samuel's Tuxedos, 573-634-7267; or call Ellinger at his office, 573-750-4100. More about the county's bicentennial can be found at colecountybicentennial.com.
Proceeds will go toward putting markers in each of the county's communities.
The above items offer county residents a way to celebrate our bicentennial both now and for generations to come. Consider picking some up before they're gone.
News Tribune