WATERVILLE – Communities across the United States are gearing up for America’s Semiquincentennial celebration – better known as a 250th anniversary – with fireworks, displays and activities for all ages.
To keep up with local events, follow the Waterville Ohio 250th Celebration page on Facebook, where you’ll find photos of Waterville Primary School’s 250th-themed family night, profiles of area founders by Waterville Historical Society archivists, write-ups on local artists, and listings of upcoming events.
Some of the events planned in and around Waterville include:
•A video featuring community members around town – set to the music of Waterville’s own Oliver Hazard Band performing “Take Me Back.” Take a photo of you or your family and friends hanging out in Waterville – in the parks, library, school, restaurants and businesses, in front of historic or favorite sites, or enjoying a community event. Deadline to submit photos is Saturday, March 28. Email a jpeg photo (minimum 1 MB) to [email protected].
•The Waterville Library will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library. Save the date and look for more information to come soon!
•Kids Dig History, hosted by the Waterville Historical Society and Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission, will take place on July 14 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Conrad Park during the Eats and Beats Food Truck Tuesday event.
•The Waterville Historical Society will host a speakers series at Wakeman Hall, including the story of Ohio in the American Revolutionary War, the Wright Brothers and Waterville’s architectural legacy. Check out watervillehistory.org for details.
•A Forts of Ohio Tour, May 15-18, is hosted by Lou Ritten and takes guests on a three-day, expert-led motor coach tour that brings the post-Revolutionary War period to life.
•The Fallen Timbers Battlefield will host a Twilight on the Battlefield event on Saturday, July 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. with reenactors portraying those involved in the battle of 1794.
•The Waterville Historical Society will host a series of Haunted Waterville tours – horse-drawn wagon rides through town give guests insight into the spirits who still inhabit some of the city’s most historic homes.
•The Roche de Boeuf Festival, set for Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. includes a 10 a.m. parade with a 250th theme, and plenty of music, exhibits and activities.
The pinnacle of these events is the Saturday, July 4 Independence Day celebration, featuring a bigger and better fireworks display, kids activities, food trucks and music, based at Waterville Primary School and Prairie Trail Park beginning at 5 p.m.
The list of activities is still unfolding, so consult the Facebook page often.
Waterville’s celebration is brought to you by the City of Waterville and organized by representatives from the Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission, Anthony Wayne Local Schools, Anthony Wayne Rotary Club, Anthony Wayne Free Press, Anthony Wayne Youth Foundation, Fallen Timbers Battlefield Preservation Commission, Lake Erie Waterville Historical Society, Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum, Toledo Public Library-Waterville Branch and Unify Marketing and Technology Solutions.
