COLUMBUS – The Ohio Bicentennial Commission has released confirmed dates and locations for 10 bell castings scheduled to take place in 2002.
Communities across Ohio have been vying for the honor of hosting their county’s bell casting.
The events released are just 10 of the 88 castings planned by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission – approximately 40 of which will happen in 2002.
The personalized bicentennial bells, which will measure 2 feet high and weigh 250 pounds, will be cast on-site and presented to each county by the state and the Bicentennial Commission as a commemoration of the state’s 200th birthday in 2003.
When and where. The 10 confirmed events are:
* Adams County: Manchester, Founders Day Celebration, April 12-13
* Darke County: Greenville, Bell Festival, April 27-28
* Vinton County: McArthur, Wild Turkey Festival, May 4
* Lucas County: Toledo, Fifth Third Field, May 8-9
* Hocking County: Logan, Washboard Festival, June 15-16
* Wyandot County: Upper Sandusky, Family Fest, July 12-13
* Knox County: Mount Vernon, Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival, Aug. 9-10
* Licking County: Newark, Hot Music Weekend Festival, Aug. 16-17
* Morgan County: McConnelsville, Morgan County Fair, Sept. 3-4
* Fayette County: Washington Court House, Scarecrow Festival, Sept. 14-15
The remainder of the 2002 dates will be announced when confirmed.
Public casting. The casting process is conducted in full view of the public by the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, one of the world’s leading bell casting companies and Ohio’s oldest family-owned manufacturing company, dating to 1842.
At the end of the two-day event, the bell is dedicated, and presented to the county commissioners, after which the bell will be rung for the first time. The public then will be invited to ring the bell.
