Quincy celebrates 100th birthday

Historical document on hand for festivities

QUINCY — How does a 100-year-old Columbia Basin town celebrate its birthday?

Anyway it wants to.

In Quincy's case, the celebration's lasting all year long, and includes monthly Battle of the Business competitions, agriculture tours come spring and an open invitation to Quincy residents past and present.

"I think it will be a really nice celebration," party coordinator Nanette Hemberry said. "We're hoping as many people as can will join us."

The town celebrates the actual birthday with a party Friday.

The festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a porch dedication at the Reiman-Simmons House, marking the end of a project several years in the works. The dedication includes a sneak peek at the historical house's new exhibit hall. A grand opening continues on Saturday.

Following the celebration, everything moves to the Grant County Fire District No. 3 station at 1201 Central Ave. S. at 5 p.m. for a party complete with a 100 square-foot birthday cake, balloons and punch.

State archivist F. Gerald Handfield brings to the event paperwork showing the original state charting of Quincy.

"It's a historical document a hundred years old," Quincy Centennial Commission Chair Harriet Weber said. "They're going to share that out of the state archives."

Handfield represents State Secretary Sam Reed at both events.

"I think they're going to be a wonderful time," Weber said. "We're looking forward to it very much."

Hemberry said the event is proceeding on track.

"We've got the cakes and we'll be frosting it at 6 a.m. Friday," she said.

In preparing for the event, Hemberry said she had never tackled a 100 square-foot cake before.

"I think we've got it handled, we've got some helpers and we'll get that done," she said. "The logo we're going to put on the middle, I'm going to frost ahead and then we'll lay it on the cake."

Quincy Mayor Dick Zimbelman and centennial commission chair Harriet Weber are expected to amongst the speakers at the event.