In January 2024, the Ann Arbor community came together to kick off the city's 200^th anniversary celebration at the State Theater. Since then, thousands of Ann Arborites have celebrated the milestone at monthly events and paid tribute with celebratory tree plantings, a park renaming, a new city flag design and park murals. It is now time to bring these festivities to a close with the final celebration on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Ann Arbor Skyline High School.

“It’s not every day a city celebrates its 200^th anniversary and is given the opportunity for community members to reflect on the past 200 years and think about the next 100,” said Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor. “The opportunities in front of us are many and I’m confident Ann Arbor will continue to be a vibrant, welcoming and inspirational city for future generations to come.” 

“Two years ago, the Ann Arbor Bicentennial Committee members came together for the first time to begin planning Ann Arbor’s milestone anniversary,” said City of Ann Arbor Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. “We set an ambitious goal of celebrating Ann Arbor, not just once but throughout the year, with fun, unifying and meaningful activities that would recognize Ann Arbor’s history and cheer for our city’s bright future. We welcome the community to join us for one final celebration on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Skyline High School.”  

Bicentennial Closing Ceremony:

Time: Reception and art exhibit 6–8 p.m. Formal program begins at 8 p.m.  

​Program: The reception will begin at 6 p.m. and will include refreshments, an art exhibit, commemorative picture, Aerie oral history program, interactive Tree of Hopes and Dreams and will feature work from professional artists and area high school students under the theme “The next 100 years.” The formal program will begin in the auditorium at 8 p.m. and will include musical entertainment by Skyline High School musicians, stage production of “Ann Arbor Then, Now, Next,” bicentennial poem by Aaron Dworkin and a showing of Community Television Network’s Happy Birthday, Ann Arbor, video.

Tickets: Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/city-of-ann-arbor/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMyODk5NDQ=. Ticket proceeds will support Ann Arbor's Legacy Projects.