Stephen Myers won’t be around to celebrate Streetsboro’s bicentennial this weekend, but he’ll still be part of the festivities in spirit, at least.
The town is named after Titus Street, a Connecticut man who owned the land, said Mike Kuhstos, chairman of the Streetsboro Bicentennial Committee and treasurer of the Streetsboro Heritage Foundation. But while Street never set foot in what was originally called Streetsborough, Myers was its first settler in 1822.
“I really don’t think he ever realized the kind of impact he would have,” Kuhstos said. “I mean, we’re still talking about him. We’re still saying his name 200 years later. So I think that’s very significant. And, you know, Streetsboro is named The Gateway to Progress and I mean, the whole what is happening in this city started with [Myers] basically So yes, it definitely has a piece of history and we continue to celebrate it.”
The celebration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday when the Bicentennial Parade steps off from Streetsboro City Schools’ main campus on Annalane Drive. It will travel west to Wiencek Road, north to State Route 303, then west to Streetsboro Plaza, east of State Route 14.
Month:Streetsboro’s bicentennial plans centered around events in August and September
The route will be closed to traffic during the parade, with Streetsboro police and the utility department blocking intersections beforehand.
“Due to the size of the parade, residents should be prepared for significant delays and plan accordingly,” the police department posted on Facebook Monday, adding for those who want to watch the parade, ” we suggest you claim your spot early.”
The celebration then continues at Streetsboro City Park, 8980 Kirby Lane, next to Streetsboro Elementary School, beginning at noon. Admission and parking are free, although some attractions have a charge.
“We’re pretty much taking up the whole park,” Kuhstos said.
Streetsboro Bicentennial Events
Main attractions on Saturday include:
• 12:45 p.m., Creative Fitness Dance Team.
• 2 p.m., Jungle Terry and Friends Animal Show.
• At 3:00 p.m., State Rep. Gail Pavliga will present a proclamation to Mayor Glenn Broska. Broska will present proclamations to the city’s oldest resident, June Barbra Hummer, 103, and the city’s oldest resident, Richard Page, who has lived in Streetsboro for more than 87 years.
• 3:45 p.m., Ace Molar will perform hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
• At 6:00 p.m., the Motley Crüe tribute band The Crüe will perform.
• 8 pm, Nightrain — Performance of the Guns N’ Roses experience.
• 10 pm, Bicentennial Fireworks Spectacular.
Month:The time capsule will be unveiled Aug. 4 as part of Streetsboro’s bicentennial celebration
Pictures:The Streetsboro time capsule has been unveiled, set to open on August 21st in City Park.
Main attractions on Sunday:
• 12:00 p.m., Southern Cross playing a mix of country and classic southern rock.
• 1.30 pm, Ravenna Dance Team.
• 2 p.m., Jungle Terry and Friends Animal Show.
• 3 p.m., opening of the newly discovered time capsule that was buried during Streetsboro’s sesquicentennial in 1972, hosted by Ken Carman, Fox 8 sportscaster and host of The Fan on Sports Radio 92.3. The capsule will be exposed before opening.
• 4 p.m., Rte 212 Country Music Band.
• 5:45 p.m., Chad Colins, Tribute to Like Bryan.
• 7:30 p.m., Ultimate Aldean, Jason Aldean Experience.
Other attractions include:
• Cerveseria Bicentenari, Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Spacewalk Bounce Houses, Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Barnyard Petting Zoo, noon to 8 p.m. both days.
• Mayhem the Ride Monster Truck Rides, $15, Saturday noon to 8 p.m. (may go later, depending on attendance) and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some trucks will only be on display.
“There’s one in particular that just broke the world record for fastest monster truck, Bad Habit is what it’s called,” Kuhstos said.
• Demonstrations of Civil War cannons, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Civil War reenactors will set up camp and perform other demonstrations.
• Chainsaw Shari wood cutter, from 1 to 8 p.m. both days.
• Ax Masters, five throws for $5, 1-8pm both days.
• Act 3 Creative Caricatures, by Clarence Meriweather on Saturday and Ron Hill on Sunday, from 1pm to 6pm both days.
• Peachy Painting face painting, from 1 to 6 p.m. both days.
• Caplinger Magic Show, at 1.15pm, 4.15pm, 5.45pm and 7.15pm on Saturday and 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 4.15pm and 6pm on Sunday.
• Balloon artist Flower Entertainment, from 2 to 8 p.m. both days.
“We tried to have a little bit for everyone,” Kuhstos said.
Kuhstos said more than 50 craft vendors and more than 25 food vendors are also expected, and Bicentennial merchandise will be for sale.
Streetsboro plans more bicentennial events in September
The celebration won’t end this weekend. A community cookout, a Bicentennial 5K run and the burial of a new time capsule at the city’s new fire station on Sept. 17 are planned, Kuhstos said. At the event, a group photo of attendees will be taken to recreate a similar photo taken during the city’s centennial in 1922.
More information will follow on the September event, Kuhstos said.
The bicentennial is supported by more than 40 sponsors and the city has contributed $100,000. Leftover funds will go toward the operation and maintenance of the Singletary House Museum, Streetsboro’s historic museum located on Singletary Drive.
Go to www.streetsboro2022.com for more information on the bicentennial.
“We’re really looking forward, fingers crossed, for good weather,” Kuhstos said. “The idea behind the celebration was to get as many people here as possible to celebrate.”
Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.
