Damascus to celebrate 200 years

By Jon Moffett

A parade and ox roast are on the schedule of events.

DAMASCUS — This tiny community will celebrate its 200th anniversary in grand fashion with a variety of events that begin Friday.

The festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. with a quilt display at the United Methodist Church. The Damascus Historical Society also will have an open house during that time.

Damascus is in the southern part of Goshen Township in Mahoning County near the Columbiana County line.

“We started [preparing for the event] last fall,” said Denise Biery, publicity coordinator for the Damascus Historical Society. “I believe it was around November when we very first started this. The Damascus Historical Society worked hard to put it together.”

In order to plan this year’s event, the society looked through books and past celebrations for inspiration, Biery said. She added that village residents also contributed ideas.

Damascus celebrates its history every 25 years, Biery said. She knows that this year’s celebration is a little more special, however.

“It’s been really interesting,” Biery said about being part of the process. “I learned a lot about this area. It’s been a journey for us directly involved; we learned a lot more than we thought we would. I feel really lucky that we’ve been able to be involved.”

People from all different groups and organizations are helping out with the festivities. Biery said the Damascus Fire Department stepped in to help out with a dinner and kids’ games.

The firefighters will sponsor a spaghetti dinner at Damascus Friends Church from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. A hymn singing and community worship service will conclude the first night. The service will be on the front lawn of the Quaker Meeting House toward the center of town.

Other festivities include a parade, 5K run, antique car show, ox roast, beard contest and various historical society tours.

Biery said the ox roast is a tradition that has been going on in Damascus for many years, and the beard contest was part of the last celebration 25 years ago.

Biery, who was born in Alliance but moved to the Damascus area eight years ago, said one of the better events will happen Saturday. California resident Barb Henningsen is coming in for the celebration. Henningsen has a relative buried in Damascus who fought in the Civil War. She will be speaking at the Pearce House community room at 11 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

More information on the week and the events can be found at http://www.damascus200.org.