Rockford, Ohio Bicentennial

Celebration was
held in 2020 !

rockford bicentennial

We had  a year-long tribute to Rockford’s
200 years!

1820 — 2020

The Rockford Bicentennial Committee began work in  2014 to create a memorable, year-long 200th Birthday Celebration for the Village of Rockford, OH. 

Bicentennial ProjectsA Year of Events

Rockford Bicentennial Projects

Several projects and programs were completed that will leave lasting impressions on our community.

Historical
Mural


A historical themed mural has been researched and painted by artist, Dan Keyes. It welcomes northbond visitors as they travel on Main Street. The south side of the Rockford Fire Station mural features people of historic signifigance who crossed the St. Marys River in the area.

Market Street
Mosaic Mural


A community project lead by Parkway Local school art teacher, Shannon Painter Carpenter, involved middle school students and community members. Individuals designed color patterns and glazed tiles that were placed on the old train station depot foundation.

Barn Quilt
Trail

Originating in the south, Barn Quilts are a type of folk art from a time when people couldn’t afford to paint their barns. Using left-over paint from their house , they would create patterns much like the quilts on their beds.  A Barn Quilt Trail is currently located in and around the Rockford area.

Veterans
Memorial

The Rockford American Legion Post 508 and the Rockford Bicentennial Committee  worked together to construct a Veterans Memorial at Hedges Park. The memorial has five monuments, representing each military branch, as well as American, Ohio and P.O.W. flags.

 2020:   A Year of Events had been scheduled but some events ended up being canceled because of the
covid virus.

January

Beard Contest Begins

Bicentennial New Year’s Eve
Birthday Celebration featuring:
RADC Sponsored Firework Show
Catered by RCO
Decorations sponsored by
the Chamber of Commerce

Start Sale of Bicentennial Souvenirs

February

Early Shane’s Crossing Settlement Presented by Mike Schumm

March

Anthony Shane Presented by Harrison Frech

Shanes Crossing Historical Society
Rockford Through the Ages

Musical

April

Johnny Appleseed Portrayal presented by Henry Fincken

Apple Pie Baking Contest

Johnny Appleseed Society presentation 

Rockford Bicentennial Queen Contest

May

May 3, 2020 Ladies Tea @ The Rockford Community Building – 21st
Century Club

Memorial Day Parade: Veterans Memorial Dedication

Bicentennial Mural Dedication 

Flyover

WWII presented by John Vining

June

June 20- Grand Parade 

Historic Encampment

St. Marys River Boat Tours

House/Business Tours

June 13 – Barn Quilt Tours

1860’s Baseball / Softball Game

Time Capsule Placement

Amusement Rides

St. Marys River Duck Race

Mark Twain – Passing Through

June 28 – Garden Walk sponsored by Brand It Marketing

Beard Contest Judging 

Market Street Mosaic Mural Dedication

Name Reveal of St. Marys River Bridge.

June 19 -20 Rockford Community Days

July

War of 1812 presented by John Vining

July 30th – August 2 National Plowing Contest, corner of U.S. Rte 127 and St Rte 707

August

Captain James Riley Portrayal presented by Darrell Groman

Sunflower Festival Maze @ 1862 Schoolhouse Ross Road

September

Pictorial History from Shanesville to Rockford presented by Shanes Crossing Historical Society

October

Native Americans in Ohio presented by Jim Bowsher 

Native American Pow Wow

Rockford Chamber of Commerce Banquet

LBCF Harvest Celebration Scholarship Banquet

November

Remembering our Veterans presented by Harrison Frech

December

RADC – Candycane giveaway at 4-way intersection

Community Worship Service

Country Christmas – Downtown Alive!

Stained Glass Window Donation

A one of a kind stained glass picture of the Anthony Shane log cabin has been donated to the Shanes Crossing Historical Society by Bob Blackwell. This beautiful stained glass artwork was made with 400 plus pieces of cut glass. A handmade easel is included to display the art.

The local connection – Bob met Carey Fosnaugh a Parkway graduate of Willshire in Vietnam in 1969. Carey was killed in action in January of 1970, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Bob made a vow that when he came back from his service, he would look up Carey’s family and friends in rural Ohio. Bob met Carol (Miller) Fosnaugh and they married.

A replic of the stained glass photo was raffled off to benefit the Carey, Bill and Benny Parkway High School Scholarship and the Rockford Bicentennial.

Log Cabing Stained Glass

Thank You to our Donors

Thanks to our generous donors who have helped make this Bicentennial Celebration a success!

Brand It Marketing Communications
Tuway
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A historical themed mural has been researched and painted by artist, Dan Keyes. It welcomes north bond visitors as they travel on Main Street. The south side of the Rockford Fire Station mural features people of historic significance who crossed the St. Marys River in the area.

Learn More about the Mural

 

A community project lead by Parkway Local school art teacher, Shannon Painter Carpenter, involved middle school students and community members. Individuals designed color patterns and glazed tiles to be placed on the old train station depot foundation.

Barn Quilt Trail

Barn Quilts originated in the South. When people couldn’t afford to paint their barns, they would create a pattern much like the quilts on their beds, and use any leftover paint from their house to paint quilts. Even though the name implies that an entire quilt is painted onto the wood, it generally is only a single quilt block.

Plans are in process to create a barn quilt trail in the Rockford area to celebrate the bicentennial year. Those wanting to follow along the trail can download a map that will have all of the locations marked. A Barn Quilt bus tour is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th, 2020.

Explore the Barn Quilt Trail!

Veterans Memorial

Their Duty was to serve; our duty is to remember!

The Rockford American Legion Post 508 and the Rockford Bicentennial Committee are working together to construct a Veterans Memorial at Hedges Park beside the American Legion on U.S. Route 33 in Rockford. This memorial will easily be seen by the local community, and the many travelers passing by Hedges Park.

Learn More