Founder's Day Ceremony to Kick Off Elyria Bicentennial - March 18, 2017!

The City of Elyria begins celebrating its 200th birthday this Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 11:00am near the intersection of East Bridge Street and Broad Street!  The Lorain County Historical Society and the Elyria Bicentennial Committee will hold a ceremony near the dental offices of Dr. Richard Fogel, including insights from local speakers and the unveiling of an historical marker on the site where Heman Ely and his traveling party of five adventurous pioneers first set foot on Elyria soil in 1817.  The dedication is FREE and open to the public. A program by LCHS Education Coordinator Janet Bird entitled "Spotlight on Elyria" will follow at the Lorain County History Center at 284 Washington Avenue. 

Please join us as we start a year's worth of fun, family-friendly activities!  See full list below. Please call 440-326-1402 with questions about any of the events listed.
 

Bicentennial Events 

January – February

Bicentennial Stage Setting

• Official Bicentennial Souvenirs are available at all Discount Drug Marts in Elyria  (ALL proceeds to fund replacement of Ely Square Fountain
• Bicentennial Signage  and Street Banners installed
• Bicentennial Facebook page launched
• Monthly historical speaker series begins
• Bicentennial newspaper column begins in the Chronicle Telegram
• Oral History Project records Elyrian’s experiences
• Public Art and Sculpture Contest begins
• Bicentennial Mural & Storefront Project continues
• Beard Growing Contest begins
• Traveling Exhibit to Schools begins
   
  March-June
  Founder’s Day Kickoff & Supporting Activities

• March 18 – Heman Ely Founder’s Day Ceremony
• March 18 – Special Elyria Bicentennial Postal Cancellations available
• Travelling Bicentennial Display begins to circulate
• April 9 – Hymn Sing at First United Methodist
• Historical walking and bus tours of churches, historical buildings and cemeteries begins
• Founder’s Day documentary debut of “Elyria: Making History then and NOW” in Hoke Theater at Lorain County Community College (TBD: May 11, 18, or 20)
• June 24 – Faith Walk & Bicentennial Ministry program – Ely Square to Elyria High School
• Begins first of three Outdoor Concerts on Kerstetter  Way (June, July & August)
• Pioneer Plaza Outdoor Makers Market for Food, Arts & Culture opens for the summer
   
  July – August
  Concentrated Bicentennial Celebration

• July 3 – Special Bicentennial Edition of the Great American Picnic and Fireworks Show at West Park
• July 29-August 5: Celebrity Homecomings, publication of historical tabloid in Chronicle Telegram, concentrated schedule of historical programs and tours, book signing event for new Elyria 200 book
• July 29 – Bicentennial Ball at Elyria Country Club
• July 31 – Dedication ceremony for the Downtown Bicentennial Murals & Pioneer Plaza
• August 3 – Dedication for the new Bicentennial Fountain in Ely Square
• August 5 – Grand Bicentennial Parade & Beard Judging Contest
   
  September – November

• September 2 – Special Bicentennial Edition of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra Concert in Ely Square
• November 14 – Dedication of Bicentennial Time Capsule

State of the City of Elyria 2017

Mayor Holly Brinda delivered her State of the City of Elyria to a packed house at Wesleyan Village on Tuesday, February 21, 2017.  Video of the entire presentation is below.


 

Learn About the Ely Family and Elyria on February 20, 2017!

The Lorain County Historical Society and the Elyria Public Library are presenting a family-friendly and FREE program to help get you geared up for the City of Elyria Bicentennial!  LCHS Archivist Eric Greenly will be on hand to discuss the rich history of the Founder and Founding of Elyria on Monday, February 20th at 7:00pm at the Washington Branch of the Elyria Public Library.  More information is below.  Please call the Lorain County Historic District with any questions (440-322-3341) and visit www.cityofelyria.org for more information on the City of Elyria Bicentennial!

 

2016 Festival of Lights Footage

The 2016 City of Elyria Festival of Lights was held Saturday, December 5, 2016.  Click the video to watch highlights from a day filled with thousands of sparkling lights, gifts, joyful caroling, a petting zoo (including a real reindeer!) and much more!  Please book your calendars for the first Saturday in December of 2017 for more holiday excitement!