2012 Lilac Festival, May 12, Defiance

Be Sure to check out this event while in Northwest Ohio's River Region! What a fun-filled day this will be!

For those not aware of why we do the Lilac Festival, here's a bit of history. In the 1920’s Mayor Ed Bronson, also president of the Defiance Garden Club, declared the Lilac as the city flower. He encouraged the Defiance community to plant lilacs as a celebration. On April 21st, 1937, Mayor Joe C. Krutsch made a City resolution declaring the Lilac as the official flower of the City of Defiance.

With the rich history that Defiance holds, we want to continue to celebrate the city flower on the second Saturday in May each year. On May 12th, 2012 we will celebrate our seventh annual Lilac Festival. We will be passing out our traditional lilac seedlings to the first 500 on a first come-first serve basis to continue the passion of Mayor Bronson.

The Festival will be kicked off at 10:00am with the power of purple parade sponsored by the American Cancer Society. After the parade, enjoy a great day of events with over 60 fine arts, crafts and food vendors.

Live Entertainment will begin at 11am featuring Garcia and Scott from Tennessee. Garcia and Scott draw from a deep well of American music traditions. Think of this original, energetic and eclectically influenced duo this way: Dig a hole in the coal-black earth. Toss in a bucket-full of Blues, a shovel-full of Rock and Roll and fertilize with a trowel-full of Jazz and R& B. Mix it all together and sprinkle on some Latin-infused H-2-O. What bursts forth is a brilliant, bold and bountiful bush filled with the fruit of fresh, flavorful Americana music. Pulsating. Melodic. Intensely original. Their sound is uniquely, Garcia and Scott.

As in years past, children will also have activities throughout the day. Local nurseries will also have plants for sale just in time for Mother’s Day. Anyone interested in setting up a Fine Art or Craft booth, or for additional information, contact the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau at visitdefianceohio.com or call 419-782-0739. Join us in Downtown Defiance, where Friends, Families and the Rivers meet.

2012 Lilac Festival Sponsored by The State Bank and Trust Company

The British Kept A-Comin' !

Since 2012 marks the Bicentennial year of the War of 1812, be sure to visit this event:

April 13th - "The British Kept A-Comin'!" Northwest State Community College's Center for Lifelong Learning will host a Presentation from the Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. The presentation will focus on the importance of that war to the Northwest Ohio area. Speakers will include Peter Wilhelm, NSCC, and Richard Rozevink of Defiance.The presentation will sum up both the issues and actions of those critical days in the infancy of the raw new country. The day will include music and multi-media presentations. Both historians have supported State Senator Steve Buehrer's Senate Bill 93 establishing the Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. Now they will give a preview which will give depth to later various commemorative events.

The event will be held in Room 106 in the Allied Health and Public Services Building at Northwest State. It begins at 8:30 am. and the registration fee is $5. A "Frontiersman-Style" lunch is available. Walk in's accepted, or pre-register at 419-533-2361 or 419-267-5502. Or register by E-Mail to: louisastrock@embarqmail.com or cecily@rtech.net. See You There!

Be sure to visit the Official Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission  Web-Site to keep up to date on the most current events regarding the Bicentennial!