FOUNDER’ S DAY TRADITION TO CELEBRATE AMERICA’ S 250TH BIRTHDAY
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TAMARA GREGOR
Once upon a time in Stephens County, a deserving king and queen were chosen to represent their community throughout the year. Now, 43 years later, a new king and queen will receive their crown in the 43rd Founders’ Day.
Stephens County will honor its 2026 Founder’ s Day King and Queen during an America’ s 250th Birthday Bash at 11 a. m. Friday, July 3 as part of the 250th Birthday Bash of the United States in Fuqua Park.
Each year, community members nominate one to two local and welldeserving citizens to wear the crown in celebration of Duncan’ s founding.
Founder’ s Day has historically happened around the same time each year and there are a few qualifications in order to be considered as a candidate.
Jan Cole, with the Stephens County Historical Society, said the historical society and museum opens nominations each year for king and queen nominations.
Those nominated should be at least 80 years old and have lived in Stephens County for 50 of those years, as well as have made contributions to their community.
The first queen, Sadie Sharp, was crowned in 1967 and 18 years later the coronation ceremony became an annual event in 1985.
Vicki Zimmerman, one of the event’ s organizer, said she started with the celebration in 1992.
After recognizing the queens for 32 years, Zimmerman said she got to help start the king’ s coronation ceremony alongside the queens in 2017.
The coronation now takes place inside the Stephens County Historical Museum.
During the presentations on the coronation day, Zimmerman said she sees a lot of the same faces.
While there’ s not a large population
IN ITS 42ND YEAR, FOUNDER’ S DAY2025 RECOGNIZED A LONG-STANDING, DISTINGUISHED RESIDENT FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO STEPHENS COUNTY— MARY FRANCES MCCASLAND MAURER MICHAELIS, WHO HAS SINCE PASSED. SHE IS SEEN RECEIVING A PROCLAMATION FROM SEN. SPENCER KERN.
in Stephens County, she said everyone knows many people who do a lot for the community.
“ They look forward to who gets to be our king and queen,” she said.
She said it’ s important to honor the residents who have done so much for Stephens County.
Zimmerman said the nominees are judged on their contributions. She said she tells the nominees every contribution is important.
Last year, the fairytale event continued in its 42nd year to recognize a long-standing, distinguished resident for her years of service to Stephens County— Mary Frances McCasland Maurer Michaelis.
During the coronation ceremonies, honorees receive proclamations from state and local dignitaries, as well as have special songs dedicated to each of them.
Founder’ s Day will take place at 11 a. m. July 3 at the Stephens County Historical Museum.
For more information, contact Keith Colley at 580-860-1701. The Stephens County Historical Museum is located at 1402 W. Beech Ave. in Duncan.
14 DUNCAN MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2026