Community photo planned for city’s 200th birthday

A third community photo in downtown Vandalia is being planned, this one to be a part of the city’s 200th birthday celebration.

The Vandalia Bicentennial Committee announced this week that a community photo will be taken the morning of Saturday, March 30.
Residents will be asked to gather downtown at 9 a.m. that day, with residents lining up at the intersection of Fifth and Gallatin streets and east toward the Vandalia Statehouse.
The photo will be taken about 9:30 a.m., after Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman reads a proclamation.
In the event of rain, the community photo will be shot the following Saturday, April 6.
Residents are asked to wear read, white and blue for the photo, which will be taken by Diekemper Photography.
Copies of the photo will be available during the birthday celebration June 13-16.
Bicentennial shirts will be available that day, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and they are also available at Iya’s and Friends, 422 W. Gallatin St.
This community photo will be like the one shot on April 20, 1985, Industrial Expansion Photo Day. That photo was used as part of the city’s efforts to land new business and industry.
A second community photo was shot in 2004 as part of the local efforts to prevent the closure of Vandalia Correctional Center.

Above is the 1985 community photo that the city of Vandalia used as part of its economic development efforts.