WASHINGTON, Ill. (25 News) – The City of Washington is in the midst of celebrating its bicentennial.

A parade and festival Saturday helped celebrate the occasion.

Washington was founded in 1825.

Steve Brown, who has lived in Washington for 21 years and is president of the Five Points Board, told 25 News it’s like having a school spirit week for the city.

“You know it’s a town now of about 15 plus thousand people, but it still has a small-town kind of flavor to it, and that’s nice,” Brown said. “A lot of people grew up here, gone away, moved back. Very friendly, very friendly town.”

Washington Park District direction Brian Tibbs says that togetherness helped residents recover from the 2013 tornado.

“Most people that have been around here that long just remember how our community came

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