Dear Slatonites:

The year 2011 will mark Slaton’s 100th Birthday. This Centennial calls for a celebration!

The plans below were made by the Slaton Centennial Committee, a volunteer citizen’s group, and contain a rough draft of the events to be included in this 100-year birthday party. Other meetings and planning sessions will take place in the next few months.

First stage of planning:

The events will take place July 1-4, 2011.

> Friday evening, July 1st - A registration/reception will be held at the Harvey House, complete with music and refreshments, hosted by the Slaton Railroad Heritage Association.

> Saturday morning, July 2- A Centennial Parade, including floats, bands, bicycles and antique cars will roll down our streets to the square where a noon meal will be available for purchase.
No events are scheduled on Saturday afternoon. This is a time many of the SHS graduating classes will want to assemble and share memories.

>Saturday night, July 2- A dance and reception are scheduled at the SHS gym/cafeteria. Several local bands will participate and play a variety of music (country to rock, new and old). There will be food and drink available for purchase at this event.

>Sunday, July 3 - Each church in town will plan their own activities, welcoming current and past members who have returned home for the celebration. The First Baptist Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church and The First United Methodist Church will also be celebrating 100-year-old birthdays.
>*Sunday afternoon, July 3 -The new Gazebo on the Square will be formally dedicated.

>Monday, July 4 – The traditional Slaton July 4th at the Park will be held with all the food and entertainment you’ve known through the years.

*********SPECIAL NOTICE FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON ********
Those of you who live in Slaton or who have visited recently might say, “We don’t have a gazebo anymore”, and you would be correct. The plan now is to build one! Plans are being drawn to duplicate the original gazebo on the square, and to have the new one completed before the celebration in July 2011. The estimated cost is $40,000. Working together, we can raise the funds to complete this project.

If you wish to help rebuild the gazebo, please send donations to the Slaton Legacy Organization, P.O. Box 433, Slaton, Texas 79364. This is a base organization for current and future projects to benefit the Slaton community. There are several suggested donation levels. The organization has applied for 501(c) 3 status so your contribution will be tax deductible.

1. Founder- $1000
2. Pioneer - $ 500
3. Early Settler- $250

At each level, the giver’s name will be included on a permanent plaque near the gazebo, noting the level of the gift.

A $100 level is also available with a brick inscribed with your name and placed on the pathway to the gazebo. All contributions, of any amount, will be greatly appreciated.

Graduating class members of SHS are encouraged to donate to the gazebo individually or as a class. A form is provided below to send in with your contribution.

The photos below show the original gazebo and a photo of a similar gazebo that will be built to meet current specifications. The new gazebo will be 25’ in diameter, have the same decorative upper trim and be white with a natural wood colored roof like the original. Most of the funding will need to be in place by December 31, 2010 in order to begin construction. Let’s make the gazebo become a reality.

Please join the excitement and be a part of this historic July 2011 celebration! An additional letter or e-mail will follow with specific details on the time and cost of events.
If you have questions you may contact the Slaton Chamber of Commerce at 806-828-6238 or by email at slatoncoc@sbcglobal.net; or their website is slatonchamberofcommerce.org.

Original Slaton gazebo circa 1926. New gazebo will be similar in design to photo above.

Please complete form below and return with your gazebo contribution to
Slaton Legacy Organization, Inc., P. O. Box 433, Slaton, TX 79364

Name _______________________________ Address _________________________________

Phone ______________________________ _________________________________

Email address____________________________

Please print name as it should appear on plaque or brick (if applicable)

_________________________________________ Amount of gift _________________