STOCKTON — The Baldwin County Commission Department of Archives and History will host the Bicentennial Birthday Bash celebration Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baldwin County Bicentennial Park in Stockton. The event is free.

The event will commemorate the conclusion of Baldwin County’s 200th birthday year. The celebration will include hayride tours, children’s arts and crafts, alligators from Alligator Alley, animals from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and the Davida Hastie Nature Trail, which will be open to the public’s exploration.

Additionally, guests are encouraged to bring an item to be placed into the Bicentennial Time Capsule to preserve the day’s events and family memories for future generations.

Free lunch will be provided to all guests from noon to 1:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m. is the alligator sausage eating contest. “Children’s games through the ages” will begin at 1:30 p.m., giving children the opportunity to play modern games as well as games their ancestors would have played.

At 4 p.m. the Bicentennial Ceremony will begin with the dedication of the Bicentennial Park and observance of the 200 years of heritage Baldwin County has had the opportunity to celebrate.

The event will conclude at 6 p.m. with a fireworks display.

Parking will be available at an adjacent site north of the Bicentennial Park on State Highway 225, and free shuttle rides will be provided by BRATS. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. No alcoholic beverages or smoking is permitted on the park grounds.

Bicentennial Park is located on State Highway 225, tw miles north of Interstate 65 and two miles south of Stockton.

To learn more about Baldwin County’s Bicentennial Birthday Bash, contact the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History at (251) 580-1897.