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Hundreds of people stopped by Old Cahawba on Saturday to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Gen. Lafayette’s visit to Alabama and the first state capital at Old Cahawba.

The day featured a parade reenacting Lafayette’s visit. The event’s beginning was signaled by a cannon blast, gun salute and a procession including a band and townspeople that ended near the center of the abandoned town.

An actor portraying Lafayette also addressed the crowd gathered on the warm spring afternoon.

Linda Derry, former director of Old Cahawba and one of the keynote speakers of the event, said that Lafayette rode a steamboat down the Alabama River and stopped at Old Cahawba briefly before he continued on to Mobile.

“That happened here exactly 200 years ago back when our ghost town was very much in use,” Derry said.

The event also featured local speakers taking time to recognize the important historic event in Dallas County.

State Sen. Robert Stewart encouraged everyone to take in all of the events surrounding the anniversary and to be advocates of the historic site.

“We’ve had a slew of commemorations throughout the state, and it’s just so great to see the culmination of that here at the first capital of Alabama,” Stewart said. “You have my full commitment and full throttle advocacy to ensure that this capital and this institution is enshrined for years.”

State Rep. Prince Chestnut said through his research, he learned that Lafayette basically had a “party tour through Alabama.”

“He really knew how to throw a party,” Chestnut said. “So I just want to thank you all for coming, and it’s good to celebrate history, especially the history that gives us a profound way of showing that Dallas County, Alabama, and the State of Alabama are here to stay. Never forget, we take what we have and we make what we have better.”

Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn brought greetings from the Dallas County Commission.

“I really want you all to enjoy everything in our county here at Old Cahawba Park, a hidden treasure in Orrville,” Nunn said. “Enjoy the food, have fun and have a doggone good time, as the old folks would say.”

Noopie Cosby with the Ala-Tom RC&D program said he took an interest in Old Cahawba during his time in the state legislature.

“I’ve been looking for this event for 50 years to get here,” Cosby said. “I didn’t know if I would be around in 50 years. Now it’s great to have such an opportunity to be here today.

“And as a recognition for today, remember those sacrifices as we continue to have our own opportunities to live in a free country.”