Seneca County Bicentennial Committee Announces Events and Initiatives for Year

The Seneca County Bicentennial Committee will host the first event in a year’s worth of planned events to kick off and celebrate Seneca County’s 200th year. The Seneca County official kickoff event will take place on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 10 AM at the Seneca County Museum, 28 Clay Street in Tiffin.

The event will feature the presentation of the United States flag, singing of the National Anthem, recognition of distinguished guests, proclamations from elected officials throughout the State of Ohio, and a brief account of our County's history. The museum will host an open house until 4 PM that day. The event is free and open to the public.

The committee has several events and initiatives planned throughout the year following the kickoff event. On the weekend of April 19, 20 and 21, Destination Seneca County, in partnership with the committee, will host the second annual Be a Tourist in Your Own Town initiative. This weekend will allow Seneca County visitors and residents to immerse themselves in all that the community has to offer. Residents can enjoy free admission to every museum and gallery, along with several experiences that will be announced, throughout the county from 12 to 4 PM that weekend.

The Bicentennial Committee is partnering with the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival committee to promote Seneca County’s history the weekend of September 20, 21, and 22. The Grand Marshal of the Heritage Festival will be Becky Hill, long-time Seneca County historian genealogist.

The committee has also planned additional activities, which include naming an honorary Canine Commissioner, sponsoring a beard contest, and creating the Secrets of Seneca County Historical Driving Tour.

The committee is searching for a special dog to serve as an honorary Seneca County Canine Commissioner for 2024. This is a fun initiative meant to get the residents of the county involved with the celebration of 200 years. The Seneca County Canine Commissioner will receive dog-friendly bicentennial swag and be featured on social media and on the website. Participants will need to submit a picture of their dog to the Seneca County Bicentennial website by Friday, March 1, 2024, to be included in the Canine Commissioner contest. Once all pictures have been submitted, the community will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite.  

During the Seneca County’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, the community held an official beard contest. To celebrate 200 years, the committee is bringing the tradition back. Participants are asked to submit their information and a picture of their face to Seneca County Bicentennial website by Friday, March 1, 2024, to be considered. Voting will take place the weekend of the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival to determine the best beard in Seneca County.

County residents will also have the opportunity to take a self-guided Secrets of Seneca County Historical Driving Tour. The tour will allow participants to explore the county's rich history, fascinating facts, beautiful landscapes, and more. The driving tour includes a historical stop in every township throughout all of Seneca County. The committee is currently finalizing the details of the tour, which it will release to the community in the spring.

The committee would like to thank the Seneca County Commissioners for their financial support of the events and initiatives planned throughout the year. To stay up to date with additional events and initiatives visit www.DestinationSenecaCounty.org/Seneca200.