Bonneville County Centennial
Bonneville County turned 100 years old in 2011. The people of the County have provided a great heritage and a tradition of excellence that can inspire us and future generations to greater accomplishments. The Bonneville County Heritage Association*, under the leadership of Mary Jane Fritzen, Gary Goodson, and County Commissioner Dave Radford, has formalized and calendared programs and community activities to celebrate the County's Grand Centennial.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our Board and the many who have volunteered their time and effort to share the histories of their communities or other facets of our county’s history. And without our sponsors and others who have supported us financially and by making their events and celebrations reminders of our county heritage our centennial would not have achieved our objective.
Centennial activities included:
1.
A kick-off event was held in the Centennial Court Room of the courthouse on February 7, 2011, marking 100 years from the date that Idaho Governor James H. Hawley signed a bill establishing Bonneville County. A House Concurrent Resolution was presented by Senator Bart Davis and Representative Linden Bateman from the State of Idaho honoring Bonneville County as it began its Centennial celebration. Also a Proclamation from Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter was presented by Mike Webster. Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman presented a Proclamation signed by the mayors of Idaho Falls, Ucon, Iona, Ammon, Swan Valley, and Irwin. Also seven Bonneville County judges were be honored: Judge Mark Riddoch, Judge Jon Shindurling, Judge Earl Blower, Judge Joel Tingey, Judge Dane Watkins, Jr., Judge Steven Gardner and Senior Judge Linda Cook. Judge Watkins presented a "History of the Bonneville County/Seventh Judicial District Courts - the First Judges and Courts in the Present System".
All Bonneville County elected officials were recognized and introduced as well.
3. Our final Centennial Gala program, under the direction of Ann Rydalch, was held Nov. 10, 11, & 12, 2011 in the Civic Auditorium at 7 p.m., with a matinee also on Sat. Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. Attendees at each of the four Gala performances were able to view an original video portraying the history of Bonneville County was produced by Paul Jenkins and Matt Gerard of Intermountain Film and Video Productions. Great music was provided by The Decades, The Idaho Falls Old Time Fiddlers, the Eastern Idaho Technical College (EITC) Wind Ensemble and the ever popular Idaho Falls Firefighters Pipes & Drums. The Sheriff's Department & the Veterans Memorial color guards presented the colors. The Thursday and Saturday evening and matinee events featured the video as well as the Bonneville County Centennial High School Choir which was coordinated by Camille Blackburn, Director of Choirs at Hillcrest High School. This choir consisted of one hundred choir students and their directors from the four area high schools.
The Friday evening, Nov. 11 event was Veterans Day and we payed a special tribute to our military and veterans at the event, with special music by the Eastern Idaho Technical College Wind Ensemble. The special speakers for this event included Retired Vice Admiral John Grossenbacher, also the Idaho National Lab Director, and Brigadier General Alan Gayhart from the Idaho National Guard.
There were proclamations and resolutions by Governor Otter, the area mayors, Senator Bart Davis and Representative Linden Bateman and our Congressional delegation at various times during the four performances. Our sponsors and supporters were honored. And, a special souvenir keepsake program publication was produced by Kris Burnham and Lori McNamara with messages and pictures from our sponsors and supporters and commissioners, showcasing the various Centennial activities throughout our Centennial year, as well as the detailed Gala program agenda. This souvenir publication was also put in our public library as well as in the reference room at the Museum of Idaho.
A tourist brochure and our Centennial website will outline self-guided tours for visiting these treasures.
5. Many other groups have joined in to make this a year long celebration for families. The Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce made the 4th of July parade and activities a celebration not only celebration of the birth of the country but also of the birth of Bonneville County. The parade theme was 100 Years of Patriotism in Bonneville County. The County Commissioners served as the grand marshals of the parade. To see photos of some of the floats in the parade please click on the Pictures tab at the left or Click Here to see pictures of the 4th of July Parade.
Iona, as part of Iona Days, provided a horse drawn guided wagon tour of Iona treasures sites as part of Iona Days. The Smith Group, Farr Candy Co., and other businesses and communities also held celebrations that have helped families celebrate Bonneville County’s 100th birthday.
6. A book was published in 2009 on the life of George Brunt, who came to this area with his family in 1885. The book, George Brunt, Young Pioneer of Eagle Rock, by award winning local author Connie Otteson, was sponsored by the Bonneville County Heritage Association* and is now part of the fourth grade Idaho history course in the county.
7. The Museum of Idaho has a special exhibition on the history of Bonneville County, entitled a Centennial Celebration.
8. The Idaho Falls Post Register provided many in depth articles and publicity in support of the Centennial celebration and its many activities.
*The Bonneville County Heritage Association is made up of and has enlisted a huge number of local volunteers for the purpose of celebrating the great heritage of Bonneville County in this centennial year of 2011. The Association is assisting the Bonneville County Commissioners Office in this centennial celebration. The Museum of Idaho, also known as the Bonneville County Historical Association, also is a partner in planning and conducting the centennial celebration events.
Copyright 2009-2011 Bonneville County Heritage Association
Updated 02/14/2012
