Windham – Two-and-a-half years ago the Bicentennial Committee was formed looking to put on the biggest party Windham has ever seen. Residents and nonresidents alike jumped on board to help make it a commemorative event. They set a budget of $40,000 and started the fundraising efforts. They held Parties on the Green, bake sales, tours of Camp Ravenna, a circus and various other fundraisers before they met and exceeded their goal.
The count down to the party is at less than a week away and the committee, along with government officials, has the village and township looking awesome and ready for the party to get started! The curbs are painted, fantastic-looking flower baskets hung, and the area was given a once over for trash pick-up this past weekend. The town looks better than ever and is ready for the big event, so let’s get this party started!
Opening ceremonies will begin Thursday July 28, 2011 at 5p.m. and will feature Michelle McDowell singing the National Anthem and the opening of the time capsule. The kids will not want to miss The Kids’ Parade with Ronald McDonald, sponsored by Garrettsville McDonalds. These youngsters will be “honored” and treated like royalty. The Kids’ Parade will also have a Kids’ Parade Marshal, chosen during the school year based upon a contest of “What the Bicentennial means to me” They will have live music, a balloon release and a ceremonial cake.
Friday the activities will start up again with tours of the high school, Huber King’s National/ International Carvings will be on display as well as antiques. For the kids there will be Cowboy Andy, Jungle Terry and a kids’ carpentry clinic by Lowes. One can expect to find a music genre that will fit their personal tastes and style, including Blues, ragtime gospel, rock and even Elvis. Friday Night’s headlining band is “Thunderstruck” they are an AC/DC tribute band will begin performing at 9 pm.
Saturday brings the 90-unit- and-growing grand parade, along with a quilt show, car show, dance contest and a dance exhibition by 8th Count Dance Studio. The evening closes out with a Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining tribute band, along with a fireworks and light display.
Come worship with us on the Green on Sunday and close out the party with an ice cream eating contest and the reburial of a new time capsule.
All weekend long one will have the opportunity to check out these on-going events: magical train, old Windham pictures, slide show and videos, Jungle Island petting zoo, bounce house, chainsaw carving, 1811 Militia and artillery living history, Civil War soldiers and so much more. So grab your lawn chairs, kids, and friends and come out and celebrate Windham’s Birthday. This is a party you will not want to miss.
