SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP Ceremonies mark bicentennial; more festivities planned

The township is seeking items for a time capsule.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday for the Springfield Township Bicentennial Celebration.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, time-capsule burial and birthday cake celebration will take place then at the Springfield Township Building on South Range Road. Residents can bring items for burial in the time capsule. The charge is $20 per envelope.
Saturday's activities will be followed by a week of events celebrating the township's 200th birthday, including a parade and festival June 28.
Several fund-raisers are also going on. Commemorative T-shirts, calendars and Christmas tree ornaments are being sold. Corporate sponsors and general donations are being sought.
For more information or to volunteer, call Shirley at (330) 549-5161 or Carrie at (330) 542-2640.
Upcoming events
UTown hall meetings are set for 7 p.m. Sunday at the Springfield Township Historical Society in Petersburg and June 29 at 7 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New Springfield.
UThe Springfield Township Fire Department will hold an open house at 7 p.m. next Monday.
UThe township police department, road department and emergency medical services will have an open house at 7 p.m. June 26.
UA town play, "One Foot in Heaven," will be presented free at 7 p.m. June 24 at Springfield Local Intermediate School Auditorium.
UThe Springfield Township Community Council of Churches will hold an Old Time Church Service at 7 p.m. June 25 at the Old Springfield United Church of Christ, state Route 170, New Middletown. Those attending can join the gospel choir, dress in period clothing and arrive in horse-drawn buggies.
UThe parade June 28 will begin in St. Paul the Apostle's parking lot on state Route 170 and proceed to Springfield High School. The oldest man and woman will be crowned king and queen of the parade. After the parade, a festival will be held at the high school.
UThere will be a pie-baking contest and auction, as well as contests for watermelon eating, beard growing, best period costume and most original historical item. Those entering the pie contest should submit two pies, because one will be auctioned. The historical items should be dated from 1803 to 1903.
UFestival games will include an egg toss, three-legged races, sack races and a dunking booth. Exhibits will include an old-time baseball game, hot-air balloon rides, craft demonstrators and a calliope.
A variety of other events also are planned for June 28:
UThe Springfield Township Historical Society will hold an open house from noon to 4:30 p.m.
UThe Youngstown Community Band will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. in the football complex.
UA square dance will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
UA dance featuring a DJ will be held in the sports complex area from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
UAt 8:30 p.m., sky divers will arrive.
UAt 10 p.m., B.J. Alan will present fireworks in the high school parking lot.