PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS ELYRIA MEDICAL CENTER
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| Photo courtesy of the Lorain County Historical Society |
Elyria residents, businesses and other city
supporters looking for ways to honor the City’s 200th birthday have
had many events and activities to choose from to show their civic pride. Among them: a historic marker installation
ceremony and reception; a historic documentary preview and reception; historic
lectures, tours and displays; the opening of Pioneer Plaza; a bicentennial
fireworks show like no other; and soon the bicentennial ball on July 29 and the
bicentennial parade on August 5.
The July
29 Elyria Bicentennial Ball - Presented by University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center
There are already 175 reservations for Elyria’s
Bicentennial Ball, scheduled for Saturday evening July 29, 2017 from 6:00pm –
11:00pm at Elyria Country Club – 41625 Oberlin Elyria Road. Elyrians
and other supporters who want to attend but have not yet made their
reservations are encouraged to visit the city’s website to purchase tickets
online via the city’s secure server at www.cityofelyria.org. The deadline for making reservations is
Tuesday, July 25. Tickets are $125.00
per person, while all of the other official bicentennial events have been low
or no cost.
All Elyrians are welcome to attend this very
special black tie optional celebration which will feature an evening of fine
dining, fellowship and dancing to the Swing City Big Band. All proceeds from the Ball benefit the
rebuilding of the Ely Square Fountain, the legacy project of the City and the
100-member Elyria Bicentennial Committee.
“The City and the Committee members w
anted to be responsive to all
Elyrians, and the Ball is one way for those who are able to make larger
contributions to the fountain project to participate, while honoring all of our
fountain donors,” said Mayor Holly Brinda. But regardless of our citizens’
level of participation, small or large, it is needed and appreciated.
The Presenting Sponsor for the Bicentennial
Ball is University Hospitals Elyria
Medical Center. Other supporters
include band sponsor Chemical Bank;
beverage sponsors Northwest Bank, Vandemark Jewelers and Best Equipment Company; and auction
sponsor Attorney Mark Craig. The official souvenir sponsor for Elyria’s
Bicentennial is Discount Drug Mart. Other sponsorships and program advertising
are still available by calling (440) 326-1402.
The evening will also recognize donors who have
contributed so far to the Capital Campaign to rebuild the Ely Square
Fountain. And while the fundraising
campaign will run through the end of 2017, the City has already raised over
$226,145.00 towards the new fountain, with other grants and donations
pending. The fountain will be rebuilt in
early 2018, with the size and scope of the project being determined by the
amount of donated funds. An animated
rendition of the preferred project that was determined by community input can
be viewed on the city’s website.
The August 5 Elyria Bicentennial Parade
A celebration 200 years in the making will take
place in Elyria on Saturday, August 5 – and you are invited to participate or
attend! The City is still accepting
registrations for the once-in-a-lifetime Grand Bicentennial Parade. Registration Forms will be accepted through
July 28 and are available from the City’s website at www.cityofelyria.org, but must be completed and returned by mail or
in person to the Mayor’s Office on the third floor of Elyria City Hall – 131
Court Street. Questions should be
directed to the Mayor’s office at 326-1402.
To commemorate the founding of the City of
Elyria in 1817 by Heman Ely, a Grand Bicentennial Parade, sponsored by Elyria Charities, has been organized by the City and
Elyria’s Bicentennial Committee of more than 100 volunteers. So far, over 90 units have registered for the
August 5 parade, complete with Clydesdale horses and other animals, five bands,
20 floats, circus performers, baton twirlers, super heroes, ghostbusters, a
living statue of Heman Ely, antique cars and so much more.
The parade will be one of the largest in
Elyria’s history, and will be longer than most the city’s previous parades, so
residents are encouraged to plan ahead when making plans to view the parade and
traverse the City the morning of August 5.
The procession begins at 10:00am and travels from Poplar Street, down
Gulf Road, turning right on Ohio Street, turning left on Washington Avenue to
Broad Street, turning left on Middle Avenue, up Middle Avenue past Elyria High
School, and turning right onto West Avenue, where it will disperse in the
parking lots of Elyria High School.
“The parade route is longer because we want to
involve as many Elyrians as possible and showcase some of our important
landmarks and our new additions like the renovated Middle Avenue and our
beautiful Elyria High School,” said Mayor Holly Brinda.
After the parade the Cincinnati Circus will
perform in Ely Square and a special recognition program will take place. Four First Aid Stations will be available
including the corner of Ohio Street and Washington Avenue, Ely Square, Elyria
Catholic and the Elyria High School Parking Lot. Mayor Brinda said “We are looking forward to
a wonderful day that demonstrates how strong our community pride is in Elyria,
Ohio. Major companies, organizations,
churches and many others are really having fun planning and building their
floats and involving their employees and members in the festivities – and we
can’t wait to see the outcome.”
