We could have it this year leading up to 2013 to build interest in the celebration. I am serious about this suggestion. We could gather sponsors for prize money and perhaps have different categories - traditional, rap, hip-hop, humorous, country, ethnic, etc...
Here are two examples from different eras about a town that I had the good fortune to live in for a while. It's a medium-sized Midwestern university/college town, former home of UpJohn, Checker Motors. Something to think about....or sing about....