The Swiss Community Historical Society shares its traditional, Sunday, June 26, Swiss Day schedule this year with the Old Settler's Potluck & Reunion organized by the Bluffton Sesquicentennial.
Both groups are invited to bring food and attend the noon potluck meal at 12:30 p.m. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, as well as the afternoon program time.
The Bluffton Sesquicentennial Planning Committee developed a plan for a potluck and get-together of descendants of the early settlers of the Bluffton area on June 26 at Ebenezer Church.
Although the party is already underway, the official opening of Bluffton's sesquicentennial is Saturday morning, June 25. Ceremonies are planned in front of the town hall starting at 10:45 a.m. and continuing until mid-afternoon.
Main Street will be blocked off during this event. The programs are open to the public. Chairs will be provided, but residents are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to enjoy the day if they wish.
The following events will take place in front of the town hall:
Bluffton's sesquicentennial will start off with a blast. A free fireworks display is planned at 10:15 p.m. tonight (Friday, June 24). The fireworks are part of the Relay of Life event at the Bluffton University football stadium.
No question mark needed. This plate asks one of the more interesting questions of life. The Icon spotted it on Main Street. It is a Hancock County plate.
Old bricks from Bluffton's Main Street will be available as souvenir items during Bluffton's sesquicentennial celebration at the Boy Scout Indian Village's Trading Post.
The old Main Street was removed for the new Streetscape in 2009. Many of the bricks are embossed with "Convict Made 1927 Ohio State Brick Plant."
The bricks were laid on the street alongside the Western Ohio Railway electric interurban streetcar line, which ran on Main Street from 1906 to 1932.
Seven score and 10 years ago Allen County's Shannon, Ohio, became Bluffton, Ohio. Friday, June 24, the celebration we've waited 150 years for begins.
After over three years in the planning stage, Bev Amstutz, chair of the Bluffton cultural affairs committee, breathes a sigh of relief, seeing the events she spearheaded come to realization.
Mayor Fred Rodabaugh appointed Amstutz as chair of the sesquicentennial planning committee for good reason. Her father, the late Eugene Benroth, was known as "Mr. Bluffton" in his time.
