The citizens of Margaret now have a new reason to celebrate.  This once small town is now officially a city. Serving his fifth term as mayor, Jeff Wilson said, “This means we’re growing. It’s a big deal and I’m glad I am here to be a part of it.”

In conjunction with the new city celebration, the city of Margaret also hosted its sixth-annual Friendship Festival. Chairman of the Margaret Community Action Committee, Gina Fulmer, said, “Every year it gets bigger and bigger.”  Wilson said the committee did a great job organizing the event.  Living in Margaret since 2005 and having the opportunity to see her city grow, Fulmer said, “I’m really excited and looking forward to it.”

When Fulmer first moved to Margaret the FlashTrak gas station was not there, with its expansion over the past few years, Fulmer added, “Margaret is family friendly. It’s a small community where everyone helps everyone.”

Since the new Margaret Elementary School opened last year, community members thought their participation in this year’s Friendship Festival was a welcome addition. To commemorate the moment of Margaret becoming a city, 77 children from the MES Mustang choir sang before releasing balloons into the sky. Public Works Manager for the city of Margaret, Isaac Howard, said, “I’m really proud.”

Witnessing the expansion of his town, Wilson said when he was first elected, the town of Margaret had approximately 700 people in the area. Now several years later, the numbers are closer to 4,500 citizens in the city of Margaret.

Incorporating crafters, food vendors, a car show and community-driven karaoke, friends and neighbors of the city of Margaret came together for an afternoon of fellowship. “We’ve always known that this area is growing. That’s why we planted the church here. Not only because families were locating here, but also businesses and we look forward to seeing Margaret continue to grow,” said Russ Donaho, minister of Worship and Outreach at North Valley Church.

As new and old neighbors gathered to commemorate their newfound city’s celebration ceremony, friendship and community could be seen throughout the festival.