One hundred and 90 years ago, the government of the United States acquired a large tract of land known as the New Purchase.

During the subsequent division of the land, Decatur County was established in 1822, named after Commodore Stephen Decatur, a naval hero who also had Decatur County, Tenn., named after him. The city of Greensburg was founded in 1859.

One hundred and 50 years later, Greensburg residents are celebrating its establishment with a week’s worth of activities.

From June 12-20, area citizens are invited to come out to commemorate the city’s sesquicentennial. Friday, June 12 is Sesquicentennial Pre-Kickoff Day. The Sesquicentennial Queen and Princess Pageant takes place at 6 p.m. at the Greensburg Junior High School auditorium.

The festival begins with the Sesquicenten-nial Then and Now Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13. Opening ceremonies, horse-and-buggy city tours, stage entertainment, train rides and a street dance are scheduled that day as well.

June 14, Religious Heritage Day, includes the Tree City Historic Home and Garden Tour, city walking tours, placement of the time capsule, cemetery tours, church open houses, a picnic, train rides and a Big Daddy Weave concert. June 15, Industrial Progress Day, features business battles at the Decatur County Family YMCA, luncheon on the lawn, a business expo and an awards reception at the Hampton Inn.

Tuesday, June 16, is Dames Day, and boasts Shop ’Til You Drop at HighPoint Orchard, a Day of Pampering, cook-off, ladies’ day dinner and women’s health fair. Arts and Crafts Day June 17 starts with a paint-off downtown and an arts and crafts display. A postcard slideshow at the library and a Past Tyme Tea and Style Show downtown are other attractions.

June 18, Ag Day, will provide an opportunity for agriculture and animal enthusiasts to get involved with the Parade of Tractors, farmers’ market, watermelon seed spitting contests, tractor games, pedal pull for kids and ag demos featuring brooms, corn shredding and corn meal making.

Thirty-five area children and adults star in the musical "On Our Way," "a love story that also celebrates life in a small town," reports Bill Blank, Batesville, who wrote the book and lyrics with his friend, Scott Billingsley, Batesville. It has been updated from Batesville’s 150th in 2002 for Greensburg’s special week.

Shows are slated for Thursday-Friday, June 18-19, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at the Greensburg High School auditorium. Reserved-seat tickets at $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under are being sold in advance by calling 934-4347 or stopping by the 150th headquarters on Main Street, Greensburg. They also may be purchased at the door.

On Friday, June 19, kids and teens will celebrate the 150th on Young Americans Day. A downtown dog show in the morning is followed by a remote control airplane demonstration, a Greensburg Quilters Guild show, kids’ games, show-and- tell at the Decatur County Courthouse gazebo, silly safari downtown, bouncy house and dunk tank, storytelling, the Grand Baby Show and frog jumping contest.

The 150th Festival Finale is June 20. It begins with the Tree City Heritage 5K Run in the morning. Other events include a pie-eating contest, ice cream social, military re-enactments, vintage baseball game, gathering of the Brothers of the Brush and a concert.

The sesquicentennial committees have been planning for months. With different themes and events every day, there is something for everyone.

Greensburg Sesquicentennial