Retired judge Max B. Stewart of Hamilton will be keynote speaker for the centennial celebration of the Hancock County Courthouse on Saturday, Oct. 18, in Carthage.

The former chief judge of the 9th Circuit served for 14 years on the bench after 18 years as Hancock County state’s attorney. A Charter Fellow of the Illinois Bar Foundation, Stewart was honored as an ISBA Senior Counsellor in 1999.

The schedule of centennial activities follows.

9 a.m.-12 noon – Courthouse tours every 15 minutes by volunteers in period costumes.

11 a.m. – Entertainment by the McNamara Band.

12 noon – Parade around the courthouse.

1:30 p.m. – Welcome and introductions, keynote speech by Max Stewart, removal of cornerstone and replacement with time capsule, planting of centennial tree.

Members of the centennial committee include Carthage attorney Franklin M. Hartzell of Hartzell, Glidden, Tucker & Hartzell, and assistant Hancock County state’s attorney Brian D. Hunter.