Get your noisemakers ready — the Buckeye State will hit the big 200 Saturday.
On Statehood Day, Ohioans and non-Ohioans alike will bombard Ohio’s original capital, Chillicothe, to usher in the state’s 200th year. At the Ross County Courthouse, a grand spectacle featuring keynote speakers, a reenactment of an 1800s Chillicothe village and a black-tie ball will commence an eight-month assortment of events blanketing the entire state. Dignitaries such as Gov. Bob Taft will pay tribute to those who framed Ohio, underscoring two centuries of diversity, culture and industry.
After the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill establishing the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, forces from across the state collaborated to organize all-inclusive events capturing the state’s expansive background.
“The Ohio Bicentennial Commission started work in 1997, and the projects began in 1998,” said Lee Yoakum, senior communications officer of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission.
Because the Bicentennial Commission has no advertising funds, they rely heavily on its public relations program and media partnerships to promote events, said Betty Weibel, a spokeswoman Ohio Bicentennial Commission.
Since the Bicentennial Commission’s creation, Ohio’s economy has progressively soured, forcing many programs to stretch its funds.
“Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, it really challenged (the Ohio Bicentennial Commission), but they decided to scale back the projects rather than cut them altogether,” Yoakum said.
Corporate sponsors rescued many projects, lending support to ensure the slated endeavors materialized.
For example, Verizon Wireless provided cell phones for the commission, while Fifth Third Bank supplied vehicles, fueled by Marathon Ashland Petroleum — all facilitating the commission’s statewide travel.
“Once the commitment is made to support a project, our job is only half-done as we work hard to assure all our promises to sponsors are fulfilled and that we exceed their expectations,” said Weibel. So far, the Ohio Bicentennial Commission has raised more than $1 million from contributions and donations, dramatically reducing business costs.
One of the first and most notable endeavors was the Bicentennial Barn Project, which concluded in 2002 after Scott Hagan spent five years painting a barn in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Yoakum said the barn project heightened statewide awareness of the impending bicentennial, building anticipation for upcoming bicentennial projects.
“On Statehood Day in Chillicothe, a bell-bronzing ceremony will also take place,” said Fred Stratmann, communications director of the Ohio Bicentennial.
In unprecedented fashion, a personalized bronze bell will be dedicated to every Ohio county.
“Neither the U.S. or Europe has seen an actual bell foundry on wheels. People support the bell project because it hasn’t been done since the 13th century in the monasteries and cathedrals of Europe,” Yoakum said.
All 88 bells will be supplied by the Verdin Company, which furnished the millennium World Peace Bell and more than 30,000 church bells since the company’s establishment in 1842.
“Casting bells in all 88 counties will allow Ohioans to experience first-hand old-world craftsmanship,” said Jim Verdin, company president and fifth-generation bell maker.
The Bicentennial Commission consolidated its large-scale focus to five signature events: Ohio Bicentennial Tall Ships, Tall Stacks on the Ohio River, Centennial Celebration of Flight, Bicentennial Wagon Train and Columbus’ Bicentennial Celebration in July.
Ohio State’s rich history also plays an integral role in the bicentennial, proving Ohio’s largest university is a competitive arena for not only football, but also innovation.
OSU is sponsoring the “Ohio and the World Lecture Series.” Throughout the seven-part series, nationally renowned scholars will share not only historical insights, but also speculate the state’s future.
“A great percentage of Ohio State students are native Ohioans and can fully appreciate this great milestone. Higher education personnel can really take note, appreciating Ohio’s place in history,” Yoakum said.
