LEWISBURG — The Village of Lewisburg continued the recognition of its bicentennial year with a three-day celebration Friday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Sept. 9.
While the weather did not cooperate, the fun still went on with a weekend full of contests, games, entertainment, and family fun.
The celebration kicked off Friday with the opening of a time capsule from 1993. A ceremony was held in downtown Lewisburg, featuring emcee Brian Barnes, Mayor Marsha Jones; Lewisburg, West Virginia Mayor John Manchester, the Preble County Honor Guard, and several guests.
“Planning for our bicentennial celebration began two years and 10 months ago, with Pam Baker appropriately taking the lead as president,” Mayor Jones said. “Nine primary committees were formed, and execution began to plan events through 2018 leading up to our three-day festival. Thanks to our committee members, village employees, sponsors, and community members for your support.”
“As we looked back at our history, we learned of Lewisburg’s evolution,” Jones said. “We are grateful for pioneers who took chances, made bold decisions, and ventured into uncharted territories. We are thankful for the historians who have preserved our history and passed it from generations to generations. We invite you to join us in continuing the pioneer spirit, to bring the quality of life sought in towns our size.”
“In March and April of this year, village council, administrators, department chiefs, and I met for the purpose of defining a mission statement and four year strategic plan,” Jones continued. “The mission of Lewisburg is to develop a thriving community, lead by example, and present opportunities for others to contribute to a safe, healthy, and desirable place to live, work, play, and visit.”
Lewisburg, West Virginia Mayor Manchester was presented a key to Preble County’s Lewisburg, in recognition of the connection to the Ohio village. Lewisburg, Ohio was founded in 1818, by a native of Lewisburg, West Virginia, Henry Horn. The current village incorporates two prior villages, the original Lewisburg and Euphemia, which merged in 1916.
“I am the Mayor of Lewisburg, West Virginia, which at the time was Lewisburg, Virginia. Thirty-six years after it was incorporated, Henry Horn decided to go west. He found things that he liked here. Lewisburg, West Virginia had a wonderful spring, limestone for agriculture, and was a perfect place to settle, but [Horn] found a better place here,” Manchester said.
“He put his stamp on his village and we are all very grateful he did. I have never been here and my wife had never been here, but you have a delightful community and we encourage you to keep prospering,” he added.
He presented Mayor Jones with a key to Lewisburg, West Virginia. The time capsule was then brought forward. The items were placed on display for the community to view.
Senator Rob Portman sent his congratulations on the bicentennial to Mayor Jones. Preble County Commissioner Chris Day, State Representative J. Todd Smith, State Senator Bill Beagle, and Ben Thaeler, of Congressman Warren Davidson’s office, all attended the ceremony to speak to the community of Lewisburg and congratulate the residents on this achievement. Other representatives were in the audience and were recognized.
Finally, present, past, and future accounts were shared by chosen speakers.
Village Administrator Jeff Sewert presented the present account of the Village of Lewisburg, followed by Seth Scholotterbeck’s past account.
Hailey Thies, a recent graduate of Tri-County North High School, presented a future account of the village.
“To me, the future of Lewisburg is best exemplified in the life I’ve lived, through this amazing community. This community has allowed for young men and young women to dream dreams, build families, and for some to even retire. We are a community that has the will to continue,” Thies said.
“For the future of Lewisburg, it is not just reserved for my generation or my parent’s generation, it is reserved for every generation working in cooperation to achieve the goals we’ve set. We just want to grow into a greater community for tomorrow. I think that is great, I think we are all the future of Lewisburg.”
Afterward, entertainment and contests were held at the Tri-County North Community Center and several businesses opened their doors to visitors.
The majority of the weekend’s celebration was held at the Tri-County North Community Center. There was a parade held on Saturday, Sept. 8, followed by activities and entertainment at the center.
The long festival ended on Sunday, with a closing ceremony, during which contributors and committee members were thanked for their hard work, and contest winners were named.
