JEFFERSON — Members of the Ashtabula County America 250 Committee held their final meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, reviewing the success of the county’s Independence Day celebration and discussing plans to preserve memories.
The meeting was held in the county commissioners’ meeting room at the Old Courthouse.
Troy Bailey of the Sons of the American Revolution reported the celebration generated $61,917.49 in income, including $45,750 in sponsorships, as well as grants, merchandise sales, in-kind contributions and vendor fees.
The committee finished with a little more than $1,000 remaining, which Bailey said it plans to donate to the Covered Bridge Festival in appreciation for its sponsorship.
Ginger Whitehead, executive director of the Covered Bridge Festival, served as the America 250 Committee’s fiscal agent.
“I think we did pretty well,” Bailey said.
The Independence Day parade featured 87 entrants and drew more than 900 people, according to Kathleen Milford of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Vendors at the Artisan Market reported being satisfied with their sales, according to Bailey.
Organizers also reported only a handful of minor cases of heat stress during the event.
Milford said the committee received very little negative feedback.
“I think people were surprised,” Milford said.
One resident living near Giddings Park reported that debris from the fireworks landed on their property.
Attendance was strongest during the kickoff parade and fireworks display at Giddings Park at dusk, with a lull during the middle of the day, Milford said.
The committee is continuing to fill a time capsule with artifacts from the celebration and is seeking photographs to include.
The Ashtabula County America 250 website also is being moved to a new domain, although the existing site will remain online for the time being.
Lisa Hawkins, the committee’s secretary, reported that the Family Americana Arcade was a “huge success,” drawing about 800 people. Organizers had to arrange additional activities, including for the watermelon- and pie-eating contests and the cakewalk, after the arcade filled up.
Although the America 250 Committee has concluded its work, the local Daughters of the American Revolution is planning another event for Oct. 18 at First Congregational United Church. The time has not yet been determined.
The Emancipation Forum will examine the role of women in forming “a more perfect union,” with a focus on women’s contributions to abolition and suffrage, according to Milford.
Former Ohio Rep. Dr. John Patterson will moderate a panel of women who will speak to the barriers they’ve faced – and overcome – during their lifetimes on account of their sex.
Andy Pochatko of Harbor-Topky Memorial Library is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on the historical monument at the church and the role of Betsy Cowles, a prominent 19th Century abolitionist, feminist leader and educator.
The forum will provide another opportunity for the community to examine the people and movements that shaped the nation’s history as the county’s America 250 observances continue beyond the Independence Day celebration.
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