EARLVILLE – The completion of the mural on the Smith Block in Earlville brought to an end a painting project that began almost two years ago. The Earlville mural was one piece of a 16 part project dedicated to celebrating the bicentennial of Madison County.

The Madison County Tourism Board has planned many events for the bicentennial festivity, including a quilt exhibit, a pancake breakfast, and a concert by the United States Army Field Band and Chorus, however,the most obvious sign of the county’s anniversary is on the sides of area barns.

Over the last two years, one barn in each of Madison’s 16 towns has been painted with a bicentennial logo. The logos will remain on the barns throughout the year to promote the bicentennial celebration, and to boost tourism in the largely agriculturally-based county.

The tourism board looked into this plan after hearing of a display in Ohio involving 88 barns. They knew they wanted to highlight Madison County’s agricultural roots, and saw this as a unique opportunity.

Scott Hagan, the artist who completed the barn paintings in Ohio, was the first choice for the local project. Hagan, who has been featured on the CBS News and in several nation-wide publications, said he was excited about the different architectural structures and the scenery that Madison County had to offer.