Museum sets Holiday at Home activities

VW independent/submitted information

Spend the Fourth of July holiday in Van Wert this year with “Holiday at Home” activities at the Van Wert County Historical Museum.

This year’s festival has events and activities for the whole family. The day begins with the 23rd annual Isaac Van Wart Firecracker Bike Tour. Except for the bike tour, all events that day will be held on the museum grounds. Parking is available on Second and Third streets and Market and Jefferson streets, as well as in the newly enlarged lot between the caboose and the Welcome Center.

The festivities will begin at 11a.m. in the Old Fashioned Farmers Market, then Van Wert High School Marching Band students and the American Legion/Veterans of Foreign Wars color guard will conduct a flag-raising ceremony at noon. There will be a variety of area crafters displaying their talents and offering handmade items for sale on the museum grounds, while Van Wert Rotary Club will supply the food from a tent on Third Street. Ice cream from The Sycamore will also be available, as well as cotton candy served by the Van Wert Band Parents.

This year’s entertainment includes the following:

• Noon-12:45 p.m. — Quintessentials  (2016 “Ohio Has Talent” winners)
• 1-2 — The Van Wert Area Community Concert Band, directed by Richard Sherrick
• 2-3 — Aaron Roehm Magic and Balloons
• 3-4 — Gospel with Randy Long

New this year is a cornhole tournament and special hands-on children activities, including a new train ride. All of the museum’s buildings will also be open from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on the Fourth. Check out the thousands of artifacts from Van Wert County that are on display.