Organizers expect the parade to have over 350 participants this year.
Photos courtesy of Kyle Unverferth
KALIDA — This year marks the 150th anniversary of Pioneer Days, the oldest festival in Ohio.
The Putnam County Pioneer Association was formed in the late 1800s and their mission was to “perpetuate the early history of the county,” especially the “early settlers who made their contribution to Putnam County by clearing the wilderness and establishing their homes long before the Northwest Territory was divided into states.” A merry-go-round and balloon rides, along with tightrope walking and dancing activities, were added to entertain children in the early twentieth century. The Pioneer Association ran the event until the 1960s, when it turned over managing the festival to the Kalida Lions Club and Kalida Firemen’s Association who continue the tradition today.
Fundraising for a good cause
Roughly 10,000 people attend Pioneer Days annually.
“It’s a huge event for the entire town and a tremendous fundraiser for the fire department,” said Ryan Kerner, an engineer at General Dynamics and Chief of Kalida’s all-volunteer, 35-member fire department. “We have five fire trucks in our fire station and two are paid for with tax dollars but the other three are paid for by private fundraising events, like Pioneer Days.”
The fire department serves Kalida, Union, Sugar Creek, Greensburg, Jackson, and Perry Townships in Putnam County. Those interested who are 18 and live in the 79-square mile Kalida Fire District can join the department by calling 419-532-3335.
Kyle Unverferth is on the festival committee and has been a member of the Kalida Lions Club for over 20 years. The Lions Club helps the local park and makes donations to help individuals in the community with vision needs, he said.
The four-day festival is jam-packed with activities.
Northwest Ohio’s largest parade, fireworks, children’s activities
Organizers expect the parade to include between 350 to 360 participants, including nine marching bands from Putnam County schools and about five others from the surrounding schools.
A chance to win over $170,000 in cash, prizes makes it one of the largest giveaways around
A raffle called the “Golden Ticket” sold out before the event. It was limited to 700 tickets each priced at $300 per ticket. It amassed a total prize giveaway of $150,000 divided into three winners. The grand prize winner will collect $100,000. The second-place winner will receive $30,000, and the third-place winner will take home $20,000.
Another raffle called “The Big Ticket” will dole out $5,000. Tickets are being sold by the Queen candidates: 6 for $5 and 1 for $1. The high school senior who sells the most tickets is appointed “Queen.”
There will also be a 50/50 raffle, two $750 attendance drawings (Saturday and Sunday), free drawings for $100 gift cards and $150 worth of groceries.
Bingo will be hosted by St. Michael Catholic Church from 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, 6-10 p.m. Friday, noon-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Saturday, as well as 3-7 p.m. Sunday.
Bikers young and old may want a ticket to win a new Harley-Davidson Ultra-Limited motorcycle that retails for $32,312 (plus $1,000 in cash), as well as $5,000 more in cash prizes. Tickets are $20 each or six for $100.
Parents can win a new set of wheels for their kids in a free giveaway raffle, where 32 children’s bicycles will be up for grabs.
Live music, entertainment
The featured live music performance will be Electrik Circus and there will also be a circus performance by Sarasota-based group The Nerveless Nocks, who appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
Watch sports, drink alcohol
On Saturday at noon, watch The Ohio State University Buckeyes take on Arkansas State on big screen televisions at Beertown. Then, starting at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, there will be an NFL kickoff party at the Oasis featuring Budweiser Products. The Budweiser Clydesdales will also be on hand as this year’s featured guests.
Kalida Pioneer Days opens Thursday, Sept. 8 (starting at 5 p.m.), Friday, Sept. 9 (starting at 6 a.m.), Saturday, Sept. 10 (starting at 7:30 a.m.) and Sunday, Sept. 11 (starting at 7:30 a.m.).
Read more about the history of the festival and view a complete schedule of events on their website, pioneerdays.com.
Reach Shannon Bohle at 567-242-0399, by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @Bohle_LimaNews.
