Centennial of Robinson’s birth to be celebrated Thursday

In celebration of the 100th year anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s birth here in Grady County, the Cairo High School Syrupmakers are hosting a community celebration Thursday.
The Syrupmaker baseball team will play an inner squad scrimmage while wearing special, new uniforms for the year.
“This year’s Syrupmaker baseball team is paying tribute to Jackie Robinson by wearing uniforms inspired by the team that Jackie made history with, the Brooklyn Dodgers,” states the CHS baseball coach, Chad Parkerson. The scrimmage gets underway at the high school’s Jackie Robinson Field at 4:15 p.m.
Also on hand will be members of the Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club of Cairo and Grady County. The children will be wearing baseball uniforms in celebration of Robinson’s 100th birthday, according to Stephen Francis, director of the boys and girls club.
In addition to the scrimmage, there will be bouncy houses and the concession stand will be open to sell snacks.
After the scrimmage, children are invited onto the Jackie Robinson Field where they can play, take pictures and meet the high school players.
“Kids can bounce in the bouncy house, run the bases after our scrimmage or just hang out with good people,” Coach Parkerson says.
Major League Baseball is also celebrating the 100th anniversary beginning Thursday in New York City where Robinson’s wife, Rachel, and daughter, Sharon, will help begin the yearlong festivities planned by MLB.