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The beginning has been set -- March 25.

So has the conclusion -- May 17.

But that's just the official time frame during 2008 for celebrating Greensboro's 200th birthday.

The dates coincide with the sale of the 42 acres on which Greensboro was founded (March 25, 1808) and the date the sale was recorded (May 17, 1808).

But bicentennial organizers say they want the festivities to run beyond those dates.

So, they've asked community groups, businesses, neighborhoods, schools, clubs and places of worship to plan their own events throughout 2008.

Activities could include community parades, block parties picnics, tours, sporting events and multicultural festivals.

"That way it extends the celebration," said Zana Wall, executive director of the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission, the group planning the $2 million celebration.

Official events will include:

l A torch/flag run and kick-off celebration March 25-29. The run will cut through Greensboro neighborhoods and end at First Horizon Park for an opening ceremony.

l A downtown arts and cultural festival the weekend of April 12. The event also will include historical themes.

l An interfaith celebration the weekend of April 19. Faith communities will hold their own events and then join in a city-wide gathering.

l A parade of decades May 17. The downtown event will include historical and cultural themes.

Commission officials have called the collective events "the biggest celebration the city has ever seen."

They also want to hold a World of Tomorrow Science and Technology Expo. The event would involve the city's business and industry sectors and its colleges and universities and would include multimedia exhibits, demonstrations and interactive opportunities with a futuristic focus.

The commission has also been working with local schools to develop a special curriculum and projects for students that will tie in with the celebration.

In addition, the commission has adopted the proposed four-mile long greenway around downtown as its commemorative project.

The group wants to spearhead its development and help to secure funding.

Officials call the greenway "a multiyear, multimillion-dollar project" that won't be completed by 2008.

One project that will be completed is a commemorative calendar. It will include historical photos and a fact for each day of the year. Residents were asked to submit entries.

They also have been asked to submit personal stories and favorite memories of living in Greensboro. Those can go online at http://www.greensboro200.com, the bicentennial Web site.