MEDIA RELEASE__A small town hoopla is one way to describe the exuberant preparations being made in Bluffton to celebrate the Fourth of July on America’s 250^th year. 

Military encampment at Main and Cherry
The event kicks off on July third when Ryan Burkholder sets up a sample military encampment and a MASH unit from the Korean and Iraq wars on the Presbyterian Church lawn. You can see how the soldiers cooked, slept and lived under harsh conditions. An encampment from an earlier time will be set up the next day by Robert Glenn, who dresses as an 1812 woodman for various living history events. He will have a Revolutionary War tent, and some artifacts from frontier life.

Meet 19th-century surveyors
Captain Riley (Darrell Groman) and Henry Wing (Keith Sommer) will set up a display of surveying instruments and related items, circa 1820s. They will be happy to answer questions about early Bluffton and how Riley Creek got its name. They will be in the Presbyterian Church Gazebo in the morning until about 3:00 p.m.

50 songs to celebrate America 250
John Jantzen and Wendy Chappell-Dick gave themselves a challenge: learn 50 songs in celebration of America 250! Popular in America from colonial times to the Civil War, these are the songs of immigrants, Native Americans and enslaved African Americans about life, faith, work, and play, all accompanied by dulcimer, guitar, spoons, and harmonica. Many will recognize songs from the beloved Little House on the Prairie books. Their concert will be from 2:00 -3:30 p.m. in front of the church’s main entrance. 

4th of July parade
A classic Fourth of July should include a parade, and this event does not disappoint! Over 30 units have registered to parade down Bluffton’s Main Street at 4 p.m. Floats include local businesses, churches and emergency services, decorated bicycles, baton corps, bagpipers, and politicians. The Bluffton Historical Society will participate with a float with John Dillinger’s authentic cell from the Allen County Jail. Local businessman Dick Boehr will serve as the Grand Marshal.

Food Trucks
Food trucks will arrive by 2:00 p.m. and be set up until 6:00 p.m. Food selections include VanSant Concessions, The Big Loin, Barb’s Sugar Coated Waffles, Babby’s Baked Tators, Kona Ice and Tom’s Traveling Coffee, among others.

Patriotic Concert
At 6:00  p.m., the day’s festivities will conclude with a concert of moving patriotic music, sung by a community choir directed by Dan Basinger. This will be held in the Presbyterian church sanctuary. 

Bluffton’s July Fourth celebrations are organized by the American 250 Committee, which has initiated many events throughout the year. Next up, the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society will host a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 at the 1899 Depot at Buckeye Park, 405 N. Spring St. This is part of a nationwide simultaneous public reading of the Declaration of Independence. 

Questions can be submitted to [email protected], or contact Wendy Chappell-Dick at 419-303-9769.