By Wade Linville
The News Democrat
Thanks to the efforts and donations of some generous individuals, businesses and organizations, the Georgetown Bicentennial Celebration held June 20-23 was a huge success.
Even Mother Nature cooperated for the majority of the four day celebration, with clouds and rain giving way to clear skies in what is on track to be a record setting year for rainfall in Brown County.
Plans for the Georgetown Bicentennial Celebration began on March 10, 2017, and members of the Georgetown Bicentennial Committee were pleased to see how their years of work led to such a successful celebration.
“I think the entire committee is overwhelmed with the way things worked out,” said Georgetown Bicentennial Committee Chairperson Sue McKinley, a lifelong resident of Georgetown. “It was a total community effort and a total community success. It really was heartwarming.”
The bicentennial events kicked off June 20 with the Genealogy Library opening at 11a.m.
Games, trackless train rides, a bouncy house, and a beer booth drew a crowd at the Courthouse Square in Georgetown on Thursday afternoon through the evening.
Capping off Thursday’s events was Historical Speaker Ned Lodwick at the Gaslight Theatre.
Some relaxed at the new Bicentennial Park near the Courthouse Square, while others ventured across town to Kathryn Hanlon Park where there were also many forms of attractions and entertainment for all ages.
Friday’s events began with the 8 a.m. BBQ Cook Off in the park, and Historic Walking Tours of the Village started at 10 a.m.
Friday’s evening included live entertainment at the Courthouse Square.
Saturday morning events included a bicycle parade, an art show, a house and garden tour; and with Saturday evening came the Georgetown Bicentennial Parade.
What would a celebration of Georgetown’s history be without someone to portray President Ulysses S. Grant, as Georgetown is known as Grant’s boyhood home? There to portray President Grant for bicentennial celebration was none other than Dr. Curtis Fields, who has portrayed President Grant for the annual Grant Days held in Georgetown in recent years.
Ohio State Representative Doug Green visited the Courthouse Square on Saturday to issue the Georgetown Bicentennial Committee a resolution acknowledging the Village of Georgetown for its 200 years of existence.
Saturday’s events were capped off with a light show at the Courthouse Square.
The Bicentennial Park Dedication was held at noon on Sunday, followed by a Veterans Program.
Then it came time to reveal the items that were placed in the Georgetown Sesquicentennial Time Capsule that was sealed in 1969. The items in the time capsule included News Democrat newspapers of 1969, a 1969 Georgetown High School senior class photo, and many other items from the time period.
A new time capsule will soon be buried at the new Bicentennial Park in Georgetown, and as of June 25 items were still being accepted to be placed in the time capsule.
Sunday’s events at Kathryn Hanlon Park included an 1800s style baseball game and live entertainment.
Rain passed through the area just in time for the impressive fireworks show to go as scheduled, marking an end the bicentennial celebration.
While there were too many to thank individually for helping to make the Georgetown Bicentennial Celebration such a success, McKinley and the Georgetown Bicentennial Committee expressed appreciation to all those who contributed.
“I thank everyone, from the bottom of my heart,” said McKinley.
