Welcome to the Canton IL Bicentennial Celebration information page. To honor this significant occasion, the Bicentennial Planning Committee created a series of events and activities from June 20-29, 2025, that not only showcased our rich heritage but also brought our community together in a spirit of unity and celebration.
The 2125 Time Capsule deadline is now over and the Bicentennial Committee is working on finalizing all items that will be placed inside the Tricentennial Time Capsule. There is a Time Capsule Closing Ceremony planned on November 15th. See details below.
If you have questions call 309-647-2677 or by email at cantonilbicentennial2025@gmail.com.
Bicentennial Time Capsule Submission – Deadline has passed
Be Part of History!
The Bicentennial Committee will be collecting items for the Canton Bicentennial Time Capsule — to be opened at the Tricentennial Celebration in 2125!
Submission Considerations:
- Size: 11” x 17” or less envelope; unsealed
- Paper or flash/ext. hard drives/CDs and DVDs accepted; other physical artifacts will be considered
- Photos must include the names of people/buildings/places and approximate date on the back of the photos
- Restrictions: No glass or items with potentially corrosive materials will be accepted
- Deadline: Artifacts must be brought to the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 48 North Main Street, in Canton, during regular business hours by 10.31.2025
- The Canton Bicentennial Steering Committee reserves the right of refusal.
- The 2025 Canton, Illinois Time Capsule will be sealed and housed at Parlin Ingersoll Library and opened at Canton’s Tricentennial Celebration in 2125.
Drop off your submission and completed form at the Canton Chamber Office (48 N. Main St.) during regular business hours by October 31, 2025.
Fundraising Contributions – Thank you!
We say THANK YOU to those businesses, organizations and individuals who supported the Bicentennial Celebrations by financially supporting the Bicentennial Committee.
Bicentennial Medallion & Pottery – On sale again beginning Black Friday
For an event as significant as a city’s 200th birthday, memorabilia is a big part of it. With that in mind, the Canton Bicentennial 2025 Committee is offering limited edition medallion coins as keepsakes of the event. The inch-and-a-half-diameter two-sided medallions will be on sale again starting on Black Friday at both MidAmerica National Bank (Canton only) and the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce office.
Canton Bicentennial Stoneware is still available and will be on sale again starting on Black Friday so get them before they are gone! Don’t miss your opportunity to own this limited-edition collector’s item celebrating 200 years of community history, and what an amazing Christmas gift to your loved ones.
These items will be on sale during regular business hours starting on Black Friday, November 28th at MidAmerica National Bank located at 100 West Elm Street in Canton. The Canton Area Chamber of Commerce at 48 North Main Street will not be open on November 28th, so will be available starting on Monday, December 1st. Office hours are 9am to 5pm.
To learn more about the Canton Bicentennial, call 309-647-2677, email cantonilbicentennial2025@gmail.com, go to https://cantonillinois.org/canton-bicentennial-information/ , or the Canton Illinois Bicentennial 2025 Facebook page.
Canton IL Bicentennial Proclamation
On January 7th, 2025, Mayor Kent McDowell read the Canton Bicentennial Proclamation at the city Council meeting. Mike Walters, President of the Bicentennial Committee spoke a few words after the reading.
Bicentennial General Information
Those who are serving on the Bicentennial Committee, appointed by the City of Canton, are from left to right: Rick Klinedinst, Carol Davis, Mike Walters, Carla Bobell, Stacy Wise, and Kevin Stephenson.
