SANFORD — Central Carolina Community College is throwing the biggest party in its 50-year history — and everyone is invited!

The college kicks off its 50th anniversary year with a day of fun for the whole family at its Emergency Services Training Center, 3000 Airport Road, Sanford. The kickoff runs from 3 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23. 

Bring the whole family and enjoy live music with The FOG and Poor Souls bands as well as recorded music with Mike Wheless, of WQRD’s Q-Morning Crew. Enjoy games, the 82nd Airborne’s All American Freefall Team, antique and emergency vehicle shows, Taste of the Counties culinary sampling, industry showcase, clown, caricature drawings, Cornhole Tournament, martial arts demonstration, and much more — all leading up to a resplendent fireworks show at 9 p.m.

“We’ve planned a day full of fun to celebrate this milestone in the college’s history,” said college President Bud Marchant. “We are not only celebrating the college, but also all those, past and present, who have given so much: the visionaries who saw the need and worked to make the college a reality, those who have given so much of themselves to provide these educational opportunities, those who contributed their resources and talents to build the college into the great institution it is, and the students over this half-century who came, worked hard and went on to success in many careers in many locations.”

Admission, entertainment, parking, Kids’ Zone and other activities are free. There will be a nominal cost for the food vendors. 

In 1958, a group of Lee County education and government leaders, community organizations and individuals received a charter from the state to start a Lee County Industrial Education Center. The charter was one of the first 18 to be awarded in the state.

 

The Center offered its first continuing education class in 1961 and the first curriculum class in 1962. From that humble, but hope-filled, beginning grew Central Carolina Community College, which now serves thousands of students from Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties — and beyond — at three campuses, multiple centers, and via distance education over the Internet.

“It has been a glorious 50 years,” said Dr. Marvin R. Joyner, who served as CCCC’s  president for almost half of the institution’s history, from 1983-2004. “Now, I say to the everyone: come on out and enjoy the celebration!”

The event opens at 3 p.m. with an indoor Kids’ Zone featuring children’s activities, including storytelling, face painting, balloon twisting, arts and crafts, and more. An outdoor Kid’s Zone, with inflatables, will open at 4:30 p.m.

The opening ceremony starts at 3:30 p.m. in the ESTC’s classroom building, with Wheless as master of ceremonies. The first graduating class of the college’s Firefighter Academy will present the colors and the national anthem will be sung. College trustee R.V. Hight will speak briefly and there will be a moment of silence for the victims of the April 16 tornado. 

From 4 p.m. into the evening, there will be a variety of music, demonstrations of martial arts and Chinese calligraphy, and activities. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets so you  can relax and enjoy the music and fireworks. 

Drawings will be held every 30 minutes for door prizes. Two Adirondack chairs and Jerry Miller college commemorative sketches will be raffled off. Don’t miss the Taste of the Counties, hosted by restaurants that will provide samples of their specialties. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be there also, taking donations of blood.

For more information about the 50th Anniversary celebration, visit the college’s web site, www.cccc.edu/50years. Mark July 23 on your calendar- this is one fun event you won’t want to miss!