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The City of LaGrange will celebrate its birthday with a public celebration at Lafayette Square on Friday.

Friday marks the 194^th anniversary of the City of LaGrange officially being incorporated on Dec. 16, 1828.

The birthday celebration will include comments from current and former city leaders to commemorate LaGrange’s nearly 200-year history.  LaGrange Communications Manager Katie Van Schoor said they are still planning out the schedule and speakers.

Mayor Pro-Tem Willie Edmondson suggested the event to recognize LaGrange’s official incorporation date as an important date in the city’s history.

“I just wanted to do something to remember the initiation of LaGrange being incorporated into a city,” Edmondson said.

Edmondson said the city’s first councilwoman, Kay Durand, will speak during the event along with other former council people and former mayor Jeff Lukken. He said former mayor Jim Thornton is unable to attend.

Van Schoor said current council members Mayor Pro-Tem Edmonson, Jim Arrington and Nathan Gaskin are also set to speak. She said the city also plans to have cake, cookies and music for the event.

“We’re just inviting everyone to come to the square and honor our 194^th birthday,” Van Schoor said.

There’s nothing particularly special about this anniversary, Edmondson said. The city hasn’t traditionally celebrated its birthday annually, but the mayor pro-tem would like to see the city do so.

“This date is very significant to me,” Edmondson said, “Because it’s celebrating the day we were incorporated as a city.”

The event is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend.

The birthday celebration will be held Friday, Dec. 16 at noon on Lafayette Square in LaGrange.