Founder's Day Festival - A Day of Living History in Downtown Mobile! (For more information contact the Crichton Optimist Club at P.O. Box 160122, Mobile, Alabama 36619 or Event Chair Barbara Parker at 251-454-9872) The Crichton Optimist Club is proud to sponsor the inaugural Founder's Day Festival at Bienville Square in downtown Mobile, Alabama November 10, 2007. This will be an annual family-friendly alcohol-free event, benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs and the multiple youth programs of the Crichton Optimist Club, featuring graphic and colorful entertainment, historical and modern foods, extensive and exciting displays and events, exhibitions, historical costumed figures, art shows and auctions, carefully selected vendors of many types, and numerous other attractions over the two day weekend. Mobile, Alabama, founded by colonial French explorers under direction of King Louis 14th and his Minister of Marine Ponchartrain in 1702, became the first permanent Capital of La Louisiane, and was the Center of Government of La Louisiane for the 20 year period 1702-1722, when the capital was moved to New Orleans. The vast territory of Louisiane covered nearly two-thirds of what would become the continental United States. Over that period tens of thousands of French and French Canadians flooded through the Port of Dauphine Island and Fort de la Mobile and colonized areas now in the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Florida. This incredible history will be brought to life by this Event! Bienville, Iberville, Henri de Tonti (also founder of Fort Chicagou), the Cassette Girls, soldiers and settlers will come to life in Old Mobile. Ancient and Modern Gumbos will be available (part of the ticket price!) Glass making, blacksmithing, candle makers, and artisans of many types will be present and selling their wares! Accurate historical presentations and texts on the archeology of Old Mobile will be available! This will be the best opportunity Mobilians and visitors have ever had to celebrate and enjoy their incredible heritage and role of Old Mobile in forming America and the South. Local artisans and vendors should contact the Crichton Optimist Club to make application for booth space, as well as those who wish to enter the Ancient and modern gumbo contests. Those who have displays relevant to the period are welcome to participate as well. The University of South Alabama Department of Archeology will be presenting artifacts, models, publications and talks on the subject of Old Mobile. Mobile businesses and individuals may help sponsor the Founder's Day Festival, and may also enter the Traditional and Modern Gumbo Contest. A 5K run will be held on Saturday, November 10 to help celebrate the inauguration of this celebration of the heritage of Mobile. Tickets for the Event are $10.00 in Advance or $15.00 at the gate, and will include free samples of all Gumbo entries! The title sponsor for Founder's Day is Prudential-Cooper Real Estate of Mobile.